Earlier this year, East Village-based photographer Martin Mahoney invited me to his upcoming group show at Westbeth Gallery, which was to take place March 19 to April 19.
Given the COVID-19 crisis, Westbeth cancelled the show.
Mahoney had planned to show a selection of his photographs. I asked him if I could share some of his work here (find more at his Instagram account) ...
Mahoney moved to the East Village in 1985 from Wexford Town in Ireland.
"While I’ve always had an interest in photography, I’ve lost many pictures of the old neighborhood and it’s characters and regret not taking more of the rapidly disappearing buildings and people who are being replaced with soulless glass boxes," he told me. "So I decided about two years ago to try to capture the essence of what is left of the old neighborhood and preserve it as best I can before it’s lost forever."
... and here's a selection of his black-and-white shots ....
Excellent.
ReplyDeleteBravo to a true East Villager!
ReplyDeleteSuch palpable energy in all of them.
ReplyDeleteWow. These are essential. As in 'essence.' crazy good work
ReplyDeleteI love these photos, they capture a side if New York that is seldom seen.They are gritty and thought provoking. What a talented photographer Mahoney is !
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Just followed on Instagram. Thanks!
ReplyDeletelove, love, love these. Especially the shots of Rays and of Papaya Dog. Wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteThese photos represent the New York I know and love!
ReplyDeletegreat shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done in every way. Nice work Martin and thanx for posting EV Grieve.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of a wonderful neighbourhood, and a fellow Irishman to boot!
ReplyDeleteLove each and every one of these.
ReplyDeleteExcellent stuff, even for a Liverpool fan!
ReplyDeleteWow....amazing shots. Mahoney has a great eye and captures the rawness of his subjects. Moreover he obviously has a deep passion for a city which is succumbing to constant gentrification and is losing the very essence of itself. Thanks for sharing this very cool collection
ReplyDeleteReally incredible photos. He truly captures the grit, joy, diversity and beauty of our neighborhood. If ever I want to describe where I live to an out of towner, I'll just share Martin's Instagram feed! Fantastic work.
ReplyDeleteGood on yea.Great shots ,captures New York so evocative.Happy memories of many visits over the years.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs Mahoney!
ReplyDeleteLove the East Village
Tremendous work worthy of joining the many, many gems found here: https://nycnostalgia.tumblr.com
ReplyDeleteThanks to bith Martin and Grieve for keeping the old school NYC vibe alive.
Is that Uncle Walty at International Bar? Must be!
ReplyDeletethese are all so beautiful
ReplyDeleteI love my neighborhood so much. I am so lucky to be here.
thank you for posting this
The terminology " soulless glass box" needs to be banned. If we didn't have glass boxes we would not have modern cities. It's part of what is known as civilization, like it or not. These buildings were designed and built by by architects, engineers, and craftsman. If one really doesn't like them why in god's name are you living in a city?
ReplyDelete