I photographed former homeless artist John Dolan recently for The Big Issue.
After a tumultuous few years in and out of prison, John was given a gift that would change his path in life, George the dog. The pair are inseparable, and offering more than just companionship, George became Johns muse as he spent his days sat on Shoreditch High Street repeatedly sketching his canine friend. These drawings led to John being discovered as an artist and, just a couple of years later, sharing pages of an art book with the likes of Tracey Emin and Gilbert & George. He recently hosted his first solo show of works in a gallery just along from where he once sat which included sketches of the buildings he used to sit across from amongst other subjects. For our shoot we returned to his old spot and then headed to the gallery where the vinyl from his show still remains up in the window.
This remarkable tale is currently being penned in an autobiography set to be out next year and after having spent a couple of fun hours with them on a drizzly Friday afternoon, I really wish them all the best for the future.