The free November print edition of Kentishtowner (grab one while you still can) featured a specially-commissioned sunny artwork for the front cover – an iconic celebration of Archway, for our in-depth guide to the area.
It was created by locally-based photographer Franck Allais, who some of you will know as the bewhiskered Frenchman on Ted’s Veg stall at Archway market.
Franck was born in 1972 in Dreux, France. After spending some time working in Paris in a photographic studio, he spent two years in Cork before moving to London. He has contributed to magazines including Guardian weekend, The Saturday Telegraph, FT magazine and World of Interiors.
But what’s this piece actually about? “I like to use photography to disrupt the habitual way people view everyday things,” says Franck. “And the Archway Tower is probably the most recognisable landmark in this area. So I’m wondering, what do the big people think the little people are thinking?”
We’ll be celebrating Archway all this week here on Kentishtowner, with highlights from the weekly market, local foodie hotspots and the recent success of the literary festival, it’s a part of London that deserves closer inspection.
We’ve created a limited edition of 50 high quality, A3 sized prints of Franck’s piece, signed and numbered by the artist and available now in our online shop.
The perfect Xmas gift for the proud Archway lover (wherever in the world they may be), and an essential accoutrement for any N19 wall.