'I've lived in East London for 86½ years': extraordinary photos show the life of a London legend
When Martin Usborne first glimpsed Joseph Markovitch shuffling across Hoxton Square, he assumed he was homeless or at the very least, a 'little mad'.
But Markovitch turned out to be the subject of the Usborne's next exhibition. Now he's the subject of his photo book, I’ve Lived In East London For 86 ½ Years.
Markovitch had never once left England and was part of the fabric of the east London. As Usborne explains, Markovitch - after living in London for eighty years - had 'witnessed a continual cultural transformation that we could only imagine'.
The book - along with images and quotations that have not been printed before - charts Markovitch's London as he discusses everything from ethnic diversity, Scandinavian women and Hoxton's graffiti.
Markovitch sadly passed away in 2013, five days before his 87th birthday. The book, with its photos of busy pubs and colourful London streets, is a fitting tribute to Markovtich.
As Usborne says in the closing pages: 'Thank you for opening my eyes, Joe.'
- I’ve Lived In East London For 86 ½ Years by Martin Usborne is published by Hoxton Mini Press, £12.95. It is available to purchase here
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