We’re eagerly awaiting the second issue of Mirage Magazine, which should hit the stands in the next few weeks. From the looks of this sneak peak, the issue is shaping up to be quite saucy. It will feature work by some of our favourite upcoming photographers – Laurence Ellis (with model Mirte Maas!), Chris Heads, Matteo Montanari, Jonathan Leder, David Bellemere and Chadwick Tyler. Hot stuff!

Images

Q&A

Name: Laurence Ellis
Age: 28
Nationality: British
Based In: London
Website: www.laurenceellis.com

How did you start your career?
Assisting Mark Lebon. I began at a period when Mark decided that he really didn’t want to shoot much until he had archived and exhibited a selection of his previous published and unpublished work. I guess it was quite an unusual place to be; friends were assisting people like Sims, Sorrenti, Testino, etc and were really caught up in the ‘now’. In contrast, I spent most of my days archiving Mark’s work from the 80’s and early 90’s, eventually curating a series of exhibitions.

What was your first job?
Washing cars on the estate where I grew up in Isleworth.

How would you describe your style?
Simple. Honest. Indifferent. Déjà senti. A certain adolescent nervousness. Peaceful imperfection.

What do you think is your best work so far?
I quite like my holiday video from India. Mixing the Super 8 and stills for b London. And in contrast, the stillness of the ELLE Man series.

Who or what has influenced you?
I guess much of the time I spent archiving for Mark Lebon made a lasting impression. There was a huge amount of unpublished work with Ray Petri, Christopher Nemeth, Judy Blame, Nena, Naomi barely outta school, Nick & Barry Kamen et al. Buffalo and it’s beginnings were a big influence.
Ray’s unorthodox casting, revolutionary styling and how the group worked as real tight ‘crew’ and the integrity that the movement had. As they would say, “Start with the face and the rest falls into place”. But it was never just about image, the Buffalo style was a complete crossover of influences, both musically and stylistically.

What is your earliest recollection of noticing or being inspired by photography and/or style?
My mother was a close friend of the late Norman Parkinson. He kept his entire archive in the spare room of the apartment in Twickenham he shared with his wife. He would give me his funny little hats to wear and I would look at his pictures. He was a kind man.

What sets you apart from other people in your profession?
Maybe not wanting to always be apart, but to be closer to those that I collaborate with in art and life.

How would you describe your view of the world?
Jamais vu.

What is your favourite childhood memory?
Falling into a lake near my house in the middle of winter, floating in the stillness and silence whilst trying to touch the fish which kept swimming by. If I wasn’t wearing my favourite purple ski jumpsuit which kept me warm and afloat until my mother found me it probably would have been my last.

What music do you like to work to?
Joy Division. The Smiths. Nirvana. Bob Dylan. Basic Channel. AHA. Basic Replay. Kate Bush. Rhythm & Sound. Old dub records. Joe Gibs. The Raveonettes. Patrick Wolf. Alphaville. Kitsune Maison Compilations. The Knife. Kraftwerk. Sally Shapiro. Various Italo Disco. Minimal techno. Fleetwood Mac. Junior Boys. The Gun Club. Battles.

Describe your dream project?
Work in progress.

Where do you find inspiration?
Sitting on the train with nothing to read. Small towns and big cities. Kurt Cobain. All that hasn’t yet been.

What are you loving at the moment?
My girlfriend and my family. Oh, and Lucas Ossendrijver.

Film you think everyone should see:
Le Thé au harem d’Archimède.

Best advice you have ever been given?
Work hard. Know when to let go.

Who do you think is one to watch?
My good friend Adrien Chanel.
He owns and runs a small antiquities gallery in Saint-Germain. A quiet resting place for many beautiful objects. Timeless and seemingly immune to the power of the new. Thank God.