British seaside resorts and amusement arcades conjure up all kinds of images, from mums and grans playing prize bingo to young lads trying to achieve the high score on classic arcade games.
Cain's Amusements
It was the early 1980s when photographer George Wilson had the perfect job documenting daily life at Cain’s, an amusement arcade on the seafront of Herne Bay, Kent. George, a graduate of Newport’s documentary photography course under David Hurn, worked as a bingo caller for two seasons, using this opportunity to capture daily life in the arcade when day trippers and locals would flock to the Kent resort. It’s an incredible look at a British amusement arcade during the early 1980s that will resonate with many who grew up or raised families during this era.
Photo © George Wilson.
Newport
George: “I joined the Documentary Photography course in Newport as a mature student, having worked for over twenty years in various fields. Photography had always interested me, and when the opportunity arose, I applied to the course. I was fortunate enough to be accepted.”
Photo © George Wilson.
Cain's Amusements
“After Newport, I lived in Kent with my wife Gill, and it was then that I took a temporary bingo caller’s job in Cain’s. I built up a large collection of photographs there, featuring many characters from the small community. I wasn’t interested in the games or machines; it was always about the people.”
Photo © George Wilson.
The George Wilson Collection
“I have exhibited my work locally several times, including ‘Postcards from the Coast.’ This exhibition showcased colour digital postcard prints that challenged traditional concepts of the seaside. A few years ago, an unexpected interest arose in my collection of arcade photographs due to a chance encounter between two friends. Eventually, my archive of more than 400 images, known as ‘The George Wilson Collection,’ was accepted into the SEAS (South East Archive of Digital Photography).”
Gallery
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
Photo © George Wilson.
All images © George Wilson, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction of any kind without prior permission of the copyright holder.
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