Cross Road Blues presents a curated collection of 33 photographs from British artist Oli Kellett’s famous series of the same name. Launched in 2016 during a stay in Los Angeles, the project coincided with a crucial moment in American politics, literally symbolizing a crossroads for the nation. Subsequently, the series expanded organically, gaining broader meaning as Kellett extended his exploration to other countries such as Spain, Japan, Brazil, and Mexico.
The underlying theme of Kellett’s images lies in the representation of environments located at crossroads, a symbolic space that represents the pervasive tension encountered in life. Against the backdrop of an era marked by fake news, political polarization, and algorithmic echo chambers, Kellett highlights the fractured nature of our worldly experiences as we navigate multiple identities both online and offline. However, intersections, as Kellett notes, are egalitarian spaces where everyone must wait.
Kellett’s skillful use of natural light and subtle composition lends a cinematic quality to these heartfelt scenes. The juxtaposition of the impersonal urban environment with the individuality of human experience highlights the artist’s deep interest in the human psyche. In the words of writer and philosopher Nigel Warburton, whose introductory essay enriches the book, “The step each person is about to take seems much more important than simply crossing a street.”
Inspired by the legacy of the esteemed American painter Edward Hopper, known for capturing quiet spaces and melancholy reflective moments of American life, Kellett skillfully creates captivating photographs that depict everyday individuals contemplating at crossroads. The result is a compelling contemporary metaphor.
Published to coincide with a solo exhibition at HackelBury Fine Art in London, Oli Kellett’s debut monograph, Cross Road Blues, is a finely produced work. Printed on natural art paper and bound in gray cloth on board, with a sizable flip-over cover plate, this initial print run is limited to 1,000 bound copies.