101 PICTURES
Selected by Martin Parr Edited and sequenced by Padraig Timoney
RRB Photobooks Bristol
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101 PICTURES I like to think I am a very active photographer, but when I consider Tom Wood I always feel humbled. This is the man who is always
carrying a camera and shooting something. Virtually every day he is out accumulating more photos, and the sheer number of series that he has put together is most impressive, as this collection will testify.
In 2003, Tom Wood moved from Wallasey to North Wales and began a new project: rural landscapes. This book looks back at Tom Wood’s work in Liverpool and the Wirral, on both sides of the mighty river Mersey, during the twenty five years he lived there.
Within these images taken in Merseyside various key projects have emerged. Maybe the most significant of these was the work shot travelling on the buses. Tom could not drive so he decided not to waste the time he spent travelling from a to b by bus. ‘All Zones,
Off Peak ‘ (1998) and ‘Bus Odyssey’ (2001) provide an extraordinary exploration of how the people – both travelling on the buses and observed through the bus window - almost fused with their urban backdrop.
Another important book was ‘Photie Man,’ published in 2005 and the title gives us a clue to Tom’s modus operandi. This was the
nickname given to him when his quiet presence was noticed, surreptitiously shooting away. Furthermore he kept coming back! Many
of the images in this book were taken within a 10 minute walk of his Wallasey home (sites included New Brighton, a run down seaside
resort and the Chelsea Reach night club). Tom’s frequent visits and constant presence allowed him to become an accepted and familiar part of the social landscape.
This was particularly the case when he undertook extended projects in such places as Rainhill Hospital and the Camell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. In these projects Tom knew it was important to develop relationships and build trust with the cast of characters.
Many of the images that I have selected here are portraits; these are strong, albeit subtle and understated. Tom photographed whole families, groups of workers, couples and individuals, always conveying a sense of dignity and respect.
Another trump card Tom had up his sleeve is the fact that he is Irish and let’s face it we all love the Irish. Tom lived on Merseyside for
twenty five years and I would say I cannot think of a better and more thorough documentation of one city and its people executed with such patience, grace and eloquence.
Martin Parr
101 Titles Page
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Gangolads, Anfield 1992
37
Near Lodge Lane, after school, Toxteth, 1988
5
Titian mother, 1985
38
Croxteth, 1986
6
Rachel, age 17, 1985
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Maybe baby, 1990
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Rachel, age 32, 1999
41
Hanging round steps, 1986
8
Blue glass (house through time), 1978
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Main Deck, Woodside Ferry, 1978
9
Passing the time waiting (often seen near the river), 1985
44
Upper Deck (no-ones looking), Seacombe Ferry, 1990
10
By Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 1983-84
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Gave her a cigarette, 1986
11
Their whole life ahead of them, Syston, Leicester, 1977
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Don’t mind my dignity Jan (here’ll do), 1984
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Never under-dressed, floor manager, T.J’s, 1991
47
Seacombe Ferry (pink high heels, returning to Liverpool), 1985
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Fashion and attitude, early 80’s (sisters, no pram)
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Ladies, Pier Head, 1989
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Their pride and joy, 1983-84
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Seacombe Landing Stage (out with nan), 1989
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Our day out, 1982
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Disembarking, landing stage (change in the weather), 1994
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Womens’ Legion (stepping out with style), 1974
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Coffee Cart (the kids are alright), 1988
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Girl with eye, 1997
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Sweet dreams (new dresses and heels), 1985
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Corner-store (a family concern), Seacombe, 1982
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‘I’ll do your hair and get you looking nice,’ 1988
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Finding a pair,1990
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High tea, 1989
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Finding a pair (colour film),1990
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One step at a time, 1990
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Apollo Cafe (just thinking about it), 1998
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New arrival, distressed (let her have a little sleep), 1990
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Car Boot, Bibby’s site, 1990
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Hospital cups, 1989
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Having a look (just in case), 1997
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In the spotlight (there was always something going on in the lounge), 1988
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Between Wallasey and Birkenhead, 1979
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Beans and chips 2, Tower Promenade, 1990
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Between Liverpool and Southport (favourite scarf), 1981
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Not Miss New Brighton, 1978-79
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Out from town (never go out without lipstick), 1986
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‘ntlemen, Cowley, Oxford, 1973
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Gillmoss, East Lancs Road, 1983
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Fronting, 1994
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Woodfall Heath Avenue (waiting, watching), Page Moss, 1981-82
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Brothers fighting, Vale Park, 1980’s
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King Street (tear stained), Wallasey, 1978
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Blue end, 1989
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Between Chester and Birkenhead (unable to speak after stroke), 1989
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Anfield, 1993
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Woodfall Heath, 1989
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Where Sammy is,1993
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Cutting, 1995
112-113 Kirkby (not waiting for the bus), 1996
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Eye-palette (rum calypso song), 1984
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After the festival, Sète, 2012
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Pink lipstick (for Tracy and Vicky), 1984
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Fashion sisters (sunglasses and platforms), 1973
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‘Anyone got any hairspray?’ 1983
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More like friends, Seacombe, 1980
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Only messing, 1986
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Going out tonight, 1970’s
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Vernon and Wallasey sisters, 1984
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Says Saint & Sue, Croxteth, 1984
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Sorry babe, 1983
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Seaview Cafe (not many Saturdays off), 1984
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Last dance slowie, 1985
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Brice’s, New Brighton, 1984
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Never wanting the night to end, 1985
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New Brighton, 1985
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Chelsea intro,1985
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Croxteth, Merseyside, 1986
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Duke Street, Birkenhead,1992
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The final thought … champagne PV, Tate, 2008
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Red car (not going far),1994
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Halo man 2, 1983
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Walton Breck Road, Anfield (kids are allowed in), 1987
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Kühtai kiss, 1990
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Offstage, 1991
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All these young ones, 1990
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New Brighton (old time parting), 1983
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‘They’ll be alright out there,’ 1989
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Bacon butties (what shall we do after?),1989
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(Towards) Netherton, 1989
104-105 London Road (meet you by the fish van), 1989 106
Virginia Road, New Brighton (inspector), 1984
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Lime Street, lives passing by, 1995
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London Road, Christmas Eve (only went for a few bits), 1994
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Mill Street, Dingle (you never know your luck), 1992
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London Road, City Centre, 1990
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London Road, City Centre, 1993
All photographs made on Merseyside, Liverpool, Birkenhead unless otherwise stated.
Many thanks to Martin and Padraig for making all the decisions. Thanks to Rudi for making it happen, and to Josie and Björn.
RRB Photobooks, September 2020 Photographs © Tom Wood Text © Martin Parr Selected by Martin Parr Edit and Sequence by Padraig Timoney Cover design © Padraig Timoney Scans and Organisation by Richard Millichap Internal page design and layout by Craig Magee Additional Layout by Jessamine Thoemmes-Tondowski Printing Consultation by Björn Andersson Printed at Narayana Press, Denmark ISBN 978-1-9160575-5-5