Kanzeon

[Julian de'Courcy]

Campbell Smith Artist and poet. Someone I met when I was probably about eight years old and he must have been in his thirties.
I was fascinated with his story telling, playing musical instruments and paintings. also for some strange reason that he grew up in the Glasgow tenements with grandparents. Met up again many years later. He sleeps on the floor meditates for hours a day , still writes and paints a bit. He spent many years on the streets of Soho often sleeping rough throughout the late fifties and sixties. Campbell knew all the infamous and famous characters, of that time within Soho, of which I have listened to many stories, many I am sure embellished or at least misted with time and taken on different meanings.
He is a recluse, yet also an extreme extravert and family man.
I know the images I have which run to quite a few over the years, do not do the opportunity I see for the potential justice. But I try.


Kanzeon
"she who hears the cries of the world"
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IMG_6646 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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IMG_6630 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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IMG_6618 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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20090103_0647 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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20090103_0652 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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20090103_0674 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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20090103_0605 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr



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IMG_6589 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr
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IMG_6586 by JuliandeCourcy, on Flickr

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Wonderful series there, Julian. He seems an interesting character, someone I'd like to meet and chat with. Thanks for introducing us to him. Love the second shot especially, all those pots and brushes. Beautiful.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks Rob & the Boss

 

[Brian Moore]

Wonderful! From what I see in the images I like his art. Like Rob said, Julian,...thanks for introducing us.

 

[Ahmad Bhai]

He spent many years on the streets of Soho often sleeping rough throughout the late fifties and sixties. Campbell knew all the infamous and famous characters, of that time within Soho

He is a recluse, yet also an extreme extravert and family man.
Kanzeon
"she who hears the cries of the world"

What a wonderful life he has led, the life only he could have, just as we live the life only we could even if we do sometimes despair.
His paintings are marvellous, as the pure simplicity of childhood with the melancholy of life's experiences & hurts.

It is quite understandable he is a recluse yet an extrovert. Perhaps partly because he likes his own space and partly because people expect him to be a certain way which constricts him, whereas he would rather be himself.

Every person even a poet mystic is horny, randy silly, goofy hot headed, impatient, basically a human being. As with many family men Campbell Smith can probably only be this way with his partner & children & not fear being ostracised, and still be loved.

Kanzeon "she who hears the cries of the world" is so apt a title. A saying (i cant recall who by) went something like, a person who hears the cries of the world, takes utmost care never to hurt deliberately even a leaf .
I believe the hurt spoken of was less of a physical hurt, more the other.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Love the portrait without showing the face in the final shot

 

[Hamish Gill]

What a wonderfully mysterious portrait of a person ... I love the fact we never see his face!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks all. I shall visit Campbell soon and must set a day where we can take a few more focused images as these and many I have are more snap shots. I would like to take a series and tell a life story with the diverse elements there are to his life. For now again thanks.

Not posted much as no phone since 23rd November and internet stays on for a few moments at a time.******* ISP's

 

[Brian Moore]

What a wonderfully mysterious portrait of a person ... I love the fact we never see his face!

It certainly seems fitting since the chap has exercised his artistic talents quite anonymously.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

It certainly seems fitting since the chap has exercised his artistic talents quite anonymously.

Reminds me of Musician Steve Betts , who named himself Howard Hughes in the hope everyone would remember his name.

 

[Pete Askew]

Wonderful series Julian. As Hamish says, the partial anonymity really works. Really looking forward to seeing how you treat a more systematic study.