Moulin (2007-2009)

Between 2007-2009, I embarked on a project that ended up simply becoming known as Moulin. Moulin was my first bold, provocative and colourful statement as an artist which began in a dimly lit bar in the canal basin area of Coventry and finally ended up being shot on a specially created set in a barn in Northamptonshire. Shot completely on medium format film, Moulin taught me many technical, artistic and logistical lessons and it was the first large scale shoot I attempted with a big team - this included 10 x different characters, 3 x make up artists, 3 x stylists, and 6 x assistants who worked with me across the project (plus a very generous friend who gave a barn to use).

During the grey concrete years of photographing people in Coventry, I wanted to do something completely unexpected, completely different and completely personal. When I entered the soon to be Taylor Johns House bar during the daytime, it was a dark and empty underground cave like space with deep maroon coloured walls, frilly vintage lamps, and a small stage in the corner painted jet black. I sat listening to Yann Tiersen whilst soaking up the atmosphere as the staff hurriedly stocked the bar and hung pictures ready for the opening night. The bar was to be filled with touring folk musicians from America, but I was happy to imagine something very different - a surreal antidote to the monochromatic world outside, and perhaps my very own Dennis Potter play….

“Bonsoir à vous monsieur et bienvenue, je m'appelle Sylvie. Qu'est-ce qui vous amène au Moulin...?|