Farewell to a Southwark Park Gallery Stalwart
Dave Allen spent most of his life in a dark room developing photographs that brought light and joy to the world, writes Michael Holland.
Growing up with a grandfather who was a keen photographer and a father who founded the first ever private photography school, gave the young David a good start. He was aged only seven when he began taking photos and then, with seven years of experience already behind him, began teaching at his dad’s school when he was 14!
His skills were later sharpened at the Polytechnic of Central London before he began working as a commercial and fine art photographer. He was hired to take photos for British Rail and then Lewisham Council.
Like many young graduate artists in the 70s and 80s, Dave gravitated to Bermondsey where the main industry – the docks – had closed down and left many warehouses and wharves along the Rotherhithe riverside empty, and a lot of vacant housing as people moved away to find work. And like birds of a feather they flocked together in local pubs, eventually forming the Bermondsey Artists’ Group (BAG ) in 1983. Dave became involved in 1984 and was a member for the rest of his life.
The early days of BAG were haphazard to say the least. They took charge of the café that was once part of the Southwark Park lido and immediately began having their own exhibitions. They had to take turns invigilating these shows during the gallery’s open hours, plus earn a living. These young artists were learning on the job how to run a gallery, but slowly and surely they did.
At some point in the beginning Dave says he ‘got dragged onto the management committee’. BAG co-founder Tony Fleming said, We started as enthusiastic amateurs trying to pitch in, and then roles started to be defined.’
Over time Dave became Secretary and wrote the Group’s Constitution. After that he was the Strategic Director, a role he played right up until his passing.
His death evoked shock and pain throughout the BAG membership and beyond.
Ron Henocq, co-founder of BAG and former Director of Café Gallery Projects (CGP), who worked alongside David for many years, said, ‘David played a major role in forming the identity of The Bermondsey Artists’ Group and CGP – now Southwark Park Galleries.
‘He fully embraced the concept of an artist-led space in a public park being part of its local community.
‘Helping at first with photographs and catalogue design he soon became involved in creating exhibitions that included local people as well as new and established artists… Without him there would be no galleries today in Southwark Park. His tremendous energy, tenacity and attention to detail played a tremendous part in securing Lottery funding to rebuild the original gallery with a fit for purpose new space, and later Cabinet Office funding to take over and renovate Dilston Grove, a grade 2 listed building lying neglected and derelict in the corner of Southwark Park.’
‘Dave was the most generous artist, so brilliant and supportive to work with and such great humour and company,’ remembers Shona Illingworth. ‘I loved working with him… I have so many fond and wonderful memories of working, talking and enjoying life with Dave.’
Frances Coleman, BAG co-founder and Director of Coleman Project Space: ‘I find it hard to get it down in words… David was super, strong, calm and kind – a real rock. He always had time for everyone and was so supportive of Coleman Projects, using his designer hat to provide letterheads and graphics… And Dave could tell a great story.’
‘It seems like David was always part of the Bermondsey Artists’ Group and the Gallery,’ recalls BAG co-founder Louise Sheridan. ‘We’d regularly all meet up in the Ship in Rotherhithe and he became a good friend. He loved to dance and sometimes we’d go Downtown to the Ship and Whale for a late night boogie.’
One of the projects close to David’s heart was an artist exchange programme with East Berlin that ran through the early 1990s. Through this he fell in love with Berlin and by 2010 had relocated there where he met his partner and future wife, the East German artist Mideele Schade. Dave embraced his new home and, perhaps, did some of his best work there.
His continuing work as an art-photographer now focussed on the urban Berlin borough of Pankow with a particular emphasis on the former boroughs of Prenzlauer Berg and Weißensee.
One of his last exhibitions was Mapping My Manor, a series of photos from Dave’s long walks around his part of Berlin that highlight his style: strong black and white contrasts, shapes, surfaces and interesting composition. His pictures were never about place, they were much more than that, and they rarely told a story but posed questions.
He continued to use film throughout his career, never went digital and rarely shot in colour. He said he works that way so that he can have complete control of the process, from getting the shot and taking that right through the developing stage, tweaking certain details in the processing if he needed: ‘I know what I can do with film and I want to be sure I can produce the results that I want.’
Frances Coleman adds, ‘He was an amazing photographer and loved the Berlin Urban Landscape; it’s been a great privilege to socialise and work with him over the years. I can’t quite believe he has gone.’
And those are the sentiments echoed by all those that knew David Allen:
BAG co-founder Jane Colling recalls, ‘My main memories of David are many nights wassailing in my kitchen with a bunch of other artists and friends… He took stunning photographs, was a supportive friend and played several essential roles in developing and transforming the Café Gallery into what it is today.’
‘He continued to produce beautiful photographs of Berlin and to work at the gallery right up to his death.’ (Ron Henocq)
‘David was a gifted photographer; he made a series of portraits featuring friends and family, which often had a humorous, surreal and edgy quality, and later found the urban cityscape of Berlin a source of inspiration.’ (Louise Sheridan)
‘I’m so pleased to have known David and so grateful of all the support and friendship he gave over the years.’ (Sarah Archdeacon)
‘So many memories of his endless help with so many projects that I did with the gallery… His lovely smile, generous support and endless (almost!) patience shines strong.’ (Anne Bean)
‘David was such a warm person and tirelessly committed!’ (Sean Dower)
‘David was one of the most kindest and generous people I have ever known. He will be sorely missed by many.’ (Beth Elliott)
‘He has left a lasting legacy at SPG.’ (Haseena Farid)
‘What a delightful and subtle soul has left this heavy dimension.’ (Marcia Farquhar)
‘Dave had such a key role in sustaining the wellbeing of the Gallery.’ (Michele Fuirer)
‘I’m so sad. I was always impressed by his energy, knowledge and charm.’ (Molly Grad)
‘David was a great fighter for the galleries and a great character.’ (Pat Kingwell)
‘The good and the great are slowly leaving us.’ (Sharon Kivlend & Ron Haselden)
‘He was so supportive of the early shows that we had there, and was indeed full of spunk and can-do attitude.’ (Andrew Kotting)
‘He certainly was a battler for the Gallery in the early days.’ (Gary Magold)
‘I know how much David contributed to the life and success of the Gallery.’ (Sabine Unamun)
David’s funeral will be at 12pm, on Monday July 7th at Parochial-Friedhof, Friedrichshain, Berlin.
Check out some of David’s work and words here:
Link to video: http://dsallen.carpentier-galerie.de/video.php
https://www.creative-city-berlin.de/en/network/member/DS_Allen/portfolio/album/81881
