June’s exhibition at the Bonnington Café displays John Torjussen’s wonderful historic photographs, documenting his years in Brixton: “There was an atmosphere of being a bit free and a bit mad, welcoming freedom and madness.”

From his squatting days in Kellett Rd onwards, John Torjussen photographed what he saw – providing a spontaneous record of street scenes.  “I think I took all the portraits because I felt it was a special time, interesting people from all over the world visited, and I just tried to document that without style or agenda. I am inviting people from those days to the exhibition-those that are still alive-to see themselves and familiar faces and scenes from the past.”

Torjussen squatted a lot in Brixton, and watched the 1981 Riots from his front step. His vivid portraiture and street scenes evoke the vibrancy and immediacy of that period, as well as his years as a reggae musician, playing “in houses and basements, rather than in public.”

Drop into the Bonnington Café to explore or revisit those heady days – when squatting was legal and art was everywhere!

The Café and Exhibition are both open throughout the whole of June – Tuesday to Saturday 6-10.30pm, and Sundays & Tuesdays 11am – 3pm.  And starting the month off, there’s a Private View this Sunday 2nd June, from 6.30pm  to 10.30pm, with live Reggae music and a Donations Bar. All welcome!