A Look at London’s Elderly Population Through Images of Their Kitchen Sinks

In many cultures, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. As a traditional setting for mealtime gatherings, most homes, though they may differ vastly from one another in size, location, and style, share the connective thread of a place to prepare a meal.

London-based photographer Claude Savona has a keen interest in the effect that material possessions have on our identities. What began as a documentation of London’s elderly population in their homes, morphed into a typology of kitchen sinks. Savona says he, “found a space which was mundane and overlooked,” and was fascinated by what the inhabitants chose to display and the cultural significance of those items. Examining these kitchens provided sociological and psychological clues to the personal and aesthetic values of each person. Concentrating on the kitchen window, Savona makes a statement about the blending of public and private space. “The kitchen window,” he says, “represents a perfect space for daydreaming, as one stood in his mundane space whilst looking out into a more beautiful world which he could aspire to.”

Each photograph takes on the color palate of the room itself and carries with it the mood of the space. Moving from one interior to the next we begin to look for commonalities in the décor, the time period of the fixtures, or the view from the window. We look for something familiar, something to remind us of our own home, or the home of a loved one. The universal subject matter of these intimate spaces, and the straightforward manner in which they are photographed make for a unique portrait of their owners.

All images © Claude Savona

Discover More