Born on the Isle of Man in 1946, Chris Killip began his career as a commercial photographer before turning to his own work in the late 1960s. He is considered one of Britain’s most influential photographers.
The last publication Killip worked on before his death in 2020, Skinningrove features many previously unpublished images. Skinningrove is a village on the north-east coast of England. Hidden in a steep valley, it veers away from the main road and faces the North Sea. Chris Killip’s photographs of this fiercely independent working-class community, taken between 1982 and 1984, are probably Killip’s most intimate work.
“Like many close-knit fishing communities, it could be hostile to outsiders, especially those with a camera. “Now Then” is the standard greeting in Skinningrove; a difficult substitute for the more usual, “Hello”. The place had a very particular feel to it, and it took a while for this stranger to be tolerated. My best ally in gaining acceptance was Leso (Leslie Holliday), the most outgoing of the young fishermen. Leso and I never talked about what I was doing there, but when someone questioned my presence, he would step in and vouch for me by saying, “He’s OK. That simple approval was enough.” – Chris Killip
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