Darrell K Morris - Professional Photographer based in London, UK

So, is this an image of  (A) – a former socialist South American country (B) - a late (as in dead) Spanish Catalan surrealist artist (C) –  The Chap columnist and general cad about town (if you live in Brighton) Micheal ‘Atters’ Attree or (D) – None of the above.

If you answered (A) – I am seriously worried about you’re mental health (B) – If you actually thought I spent a period of my childhood or early teens photographing Salvador Dali like some kinda photo version of a child prodigy, then thank you or (D) – you just simply couldn’t be arsed…. Then believe it or not you are all wrong.

If on the other hand, you answered (C) then Hurrah! you would be right, well done and you can see a much less obscured version of the print here  and yes that was a question I was asked at a private view on Friday evening – Obviously not – Is that El Salvador…? But – Is that Salvador Dali…? Well, I think that it was a genuine question, it was early in the evening and the boxes of red wine had hardly started to flow yet. For those not in the know  my print is currently in competition and on show at the Tea Leaf Arts  gallery in conjunction with this years Brockley Max arts festival, which celebrates all that is good in the local art scene in this sweet little corner of South East London. For those of you who are a little snobby about venturing somewhere that is in close proximity to Lewisham and Catford (yes I know who you are)  please think again as you are missing out on a fantastic little festival and a really good group show, where you could help me win a two week exhibition and gain my eternal gratitude.

This is the first ‘Competitive’ group exhibition I have done in years and it’s really changed, though I think it may have something to do with the location. Back in the good old days, when I was starting out and I submitted work to group shows in Shropshire, my main competition would be a group of sweet old ladies who had almost as a rule all produced an identikit watercolour of the Shropshire Hills and it  almost became a rule that I turned up with my work and wait for the cheque, a bit like a old school Tory MP turning up at their count on election night expecting to be re-elected.

 But, as I made my way around the exhibition on Friday, glass of red in one hand and new shiny Olympus Pen in the other, among the heads tilted to one side as people viewed the works and I heard the word evocative being used over and over, I came to the conclusion this is completely different. Firstly, there is a distinct lack of watercolours from old ladies, secondly it’s art work of a really good standard and I don’t have the novelty of being the only photographer in the show. But, more importantly the winner will be determined by a public vote. And although I have a great deal of faith in the good people of Brockley to help me gain another exhibition, should I be out there canvassing the vote? Or if it gets really desperate will I be found stalking the platforms of Brockley station accosting passengers from the new East London Line trains with small packages of notes in brown paper envelopes in favour for some votes or if worst comes to the worst, even multiple votes by myself (Btw – I’m No 32). For now I shall not panic and hope that in twelve days time, Brockley shall be getting an extended viewing of my work… They deserve it.