Photo: James Straffon
What do you do for a living?
I’m a photographic fine artist, specialising in still life. My work has shown worldwide, with limited edition prints available through my studio, galleries, and art fairs like Photo London and Paris Photo.
What are you passionate about?
Primarily art, architecture, and sculpture. Old cameras fascinate me. I bought a vintage Mamiya from Sendean Cameras on St Cross Street, Hatton Garden. I like its honest mechanics. A bit like my bike - they can always be mended.
How long have you been a cyclist?
I actually bought my first serious bike from Velorution, back in 2008. It was from Finland - a Jopo. Recently I couldn’t resist a 1970’s Raleigh Stowaway. I put a vintage french fisherman’s creel basket on the front - for stashing my cameras.
What bike are you riding now?
It’s a Moulton TSR. I think my love of architecture influenced this purchase.
The frame’s structure is so sculptural. And it has that inbuilt iconic status. A classic.
What appeals to you about cycling?
My eye is always finding interesting details - either architectural or natural. So the bike allows me to easily stop, take photos en route, and then continue on my journey. You go at your own pace. This opens my mind. London really is a great city to take-in by bike.
How often do you ride?
I visit my studio in Clerkenwell, London, most week days. I’m usually walking my two dogs - Marcel and Milli - in the morning. So the roads tend to be quieter when I later head in from north London. Weekends I go to Harringay Local Store.
What is your favourite cycle route or destination?
I like the hidden historical passageways of London. Clerkenwell has many - such as Passing Alley, St John’s Path, Jerusalem Passage. You can nip through these, and link up with amazing locations like Clerkenwell Green, and the Old Session House, and St. John’s Square to St. James Church Yard Park. You can even cross through the old meat market at Smithfields, and head down to Tate Modern, passing St. Paul’s Cathedral, or up Fleet Street via the old law courts at Lincoln’s Inn and on to the Courtauld at Somerset House. I’ve been working on a new project there - using old glass negatives from the Witt Library. So my route is constantly changing as I uncover more concealed trails of the City.
All artwork and images © Veronica Bailey 2024.
