September 2014
Sonic Shocks - Issue 28
Page 10
rock’n’roll museum presents
By Paul Roundhill
PAUL RO X 5 - ltd edn 30 x 5 photos by Paul Roundhill An exhibition of 30 original (limited edition) photographs. 1976-2014 @ Indo, 133 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DT London - From 2nd to 30th September 2014 https://www.facebook.com/events/763673010338594/ I blame my terminal lack of aspiration on my religious background, singing in the church choir - the Old testament book of Ecclesiastes “All is Vanity! saith the preacher ….” This lack of ambition and seriousness when it comes to AMBITION has bemused and dismayed everyone from my parents to friends and associates - not least myself. With a selection of his photographic work showcased at EastEnd venue Indo throughout September, it's time for our readers to find out more about one of our regular and most talented contributors. Photographer and multimedia artist Paul Nicholas Roundhill was born on 25th March 1955. He attended St John’s Leatherhead where he was naturally outstanding at English the use, writing, understanding and performing. He performed in many theatrical productions and also a co-writer and producer of annual pantomimes. Accepted for a place at the National Youth Theatre in 1973, Paul instead chose a job as ASM and performer at the Palace Pier Theatre Brighton. He was filmed by BBC2 Omnibus in his role as a stooge with Nat Jackley in Music Hall at The Palace Pier Theatre, Brighton then at the Windmill Theatre, Great Yarmouth. He then embarked on a year’s foundation course at Epsom School of Art acquiring experience and training in photography, film, video, performance as well as drawing, painting and printmaking, and successively took a degree in fine art at Brighton in the brand new experimental Com-
bined Studies multi-media fine-art dept again using photography, video, film, conceptual and performance art. In 1977, Roundhill began to document the punk scene photographing the emerging Brighton new Wave bands. His curiosity for photography, street culture and alternative scenes would lead him to explore several forms of art and later to get strongly involved in the research and recording of London East End’s sub culture. Between 1980 and 1995 Paul developed a strong interest in fashion, founding and running retro vintage design boutiques in Kensington Market, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly Circus’ Trocadero and The Pavillion Ultra Dig. He sourced, designed and manufactured all stock which was intended to be at the cutting edge of fashion and totally exclusive. He also worked briefly as a consultant and researcher for Katherine Hamnett and John Galliano. In 1990 Roundhill began performing poetry on the club scene and began regular poetry nights in Soho; he was then asked to promote spoken word events for the Soho Jazz Festival ran by Peter Boizot of Pizza Express until 1996. In 1994 he also ran 12 bi-monthly nights at the Marquee Cafe entitled “With Intent” each documented on hi-8 video; 120 performers appeared over the series of events.