August 26, 2012

Stories from a Shoreditch surgery – in pictures

This exhibition at an east London doctor's surgery tells the stories of the practice's diverse group of patients

Shoreditch Stories: John McDonagh — John McDonagh, 63, is from a large Irish Traveller family: 'When I was young I was a great boxer. In them days we fought bare knuckle. There was lots of money on it. Just two men having a go’
Photograph: Michael von Graffenried Photograph: Action images

Shoreditch Stories: Abiola Oyesanya — Abiola Oyesanya, 42, is from Lagos in Nigeria: 'At times I send money home to my Mum who is 84, sick and not able to do much' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Tony Kirwan — Tony Kirwan, 44: 'When I was at school I was really sporty then I got into drugs and my life spiralled out of control. I’m lucky to be alive. A friend was injecting drugs into my groin and the next thing I woke up six hours later paralysed from the waist down' Photograph: Michael Von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Florence Murphy — Florence Murphy, 79, lost her husband Terence seven years ago but keeps his ashes on the mantlepiece: 'I like to talk to Terry. He’s warm in there. When I die I will join him' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Philip Jones — Philip Jones, 39, with wife Jenny and son Victor: 'Hackney is central and affordable - my studio is nearby. It is also a vibrant place to live' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Paul Fleming — Paul Fleming, 46, is HIV positive: 'Living in London can be wonderfully anonymous but sometimes anonymity can be very hard' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Ilham Mohammed — Ilham Mohammed, 26 and daughters Hana, Ibtisaam and Fatima: 'We appreciate Britain because we are safe now. That is important for us. In my country [Somalia] you can’t guarantee your life' Photograph: Michael Von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: Mustafa Najim — Mustafa Najim, 30, was tortured in his home country, Iraq: 'I am like a glass: sometimes it is broken, and sometimes it is scratched. The scratch will stay there for ever' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: The Opuku family — Anastasia 11, Eleanor 14 and Mary Opuku, 43. Eleanor: 'Living here is very crowded. In Ghana we have a big house and our own room. I don’t like sharing a room' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

Shoreditch Stories: John Patrick Roffey — John Patrick Roffey, 46: 'Schizophrenia is like being in a waking nightmare full of conspiracy, paranoia and persecution. Thankfully since attending the surgery I am recovering well despite the odd blip' Photograph: Michael von Graffenried

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