Renowned photographer Charlie Phillips, awarded an OBE for his contributions to photography and the arts, is set to make a special appearance at Riverside Studios. This event marks the conclusion of his acclaimed exhibition, "Charlie Phillips - Somewhere, Somehow," which showcases the work of one of Britain's most celebrated photographers. The exhibition, currently on display, will close on Sunday, March 8th, 2026.
In-Person Appearance and Events on March 8th
On the final day of the exhibition, Charlie Phillips will be present at Riverside Studios from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet the photographer in person, free of charge, starting at 5:00 PM. This gathering offers a rare chance to engage directly with the artist behind the powerful images.
Windrush Award Presentation
At 6:00 PM, Phillips will receive The Windrush Award 2026, presented by Patricia Hamzee (OBE), founder of The Windrush Film Festival. This ceremony is also free to attend, recognizing Phillips' significant impact on documenting Caribbean and Black British communities.
In-Conversation Event
Following the award presentation, at 7:00 PM, Phillips will participate in an "In-Conversation" session with Piers Thompson from Portobello Radio. They will be joined by photographers Yves Salmon and other friends. This is a free ticketed event, requiring advance booking through the Riverside Studios website. It will be the final opportunity to purchase prints from the exhibition.
About Charlie Phillips and His Career
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1944, Ronald 'Charlie' Phillips moved to the UK at age 11 in 1955, settling in Notting Hill, London. His passion for photography began with a gifted Kodak Brownie camera from an African-American serviceman. Over the decades, Phillips became an accidental yet acclaimed photographer, meticulously documenting the West Indian community in Notting Hill throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
His work captures pivotal moments in Black British history, including racial integration, the emergence of carnival, socio-economic challenges, music scenes, Black funerals, and political activism. Phillips' photographs provide an intimate and powerful glimpse into a transformative era.
International Recognition and Challenges
Phillips' photographs have been exhibited globally at prestigious venues such as Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery, The Museum of London, and The Centre for British Photography. His work has featured in major publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Stern, Life Magazine, and Vogue.
In 1968, he traveled to Paris to document the student uprising and later hitchhiked to Italy, where he photographed film sets and celebrities like Omar Sharif, Gina Lollobrigida, Muhammad Ali, and Jimi Hendrix. Despite this success, upon returning to the UK in the 1970s, Phillips faced skepticism from the white British cultural elite, who doubted a Black man could achieve such accomplishments. This led to decades of exclusion from the art world, with his vital work remaining largely unrecognized.
Recent Acclaim and Legacy
In recent years, Phillips has finally received the recognition he deserves. Time Out once described him as "the greatest London photographer you've never heard of," and The Guardian questioned why it took so long for his talents to be acknowledged. His photographs are now held in collections at the V&A, and in 2014, Photofusion presented his exhibition "How Great Thou Art," focusing on African Caribbean funeral rituals in London.
A Heritage Lottery Fund grant enabled the restoration of his photographic collection. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE, and he is soon to receive a doctorate from the University of Sussex. The "Charlie Phillips - Somewhere, Somehow" exhibition at Riverside Studios celebrates his illustrious career, affirming his status as one of the world's greatest photographers.
