arts and design

Philip Wolmuth obituary

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My partner, Philip Wolmuth, who has died of cancer aged 70, was a photojournalist and occasional writer, focusing on political, social and economic issues.

Born in London and brought up in Harrow, Philip was the eldest child of Polish Jews, Ditta (nee Britwitz) and Henry Wolmuth, a GP, who made London their home after the second world war. Though non-religious, Philip was strongly connected to his Jewish cultural heritage. After secondary school in London, he went to Oxford to study medicine, but found it too regimented and switched to physiology and psychology. He then worked in adventure playgrounds, and got involved in grassroots politics.

Philip Wolmuth’s photograph of a domestic worker at St Charles hospital, Notting Hill, London, watches Margaret Thatcher on the TV in 1986
Philip Wolmuth’s photograph of a domestic worker at St Charles hospital, Notting Hill, London, watches Margaret Thatcher on the TV in 1986

Philip’s photography started as part of his community activism, setting up the North Paddington Community Darkroom (NPCD) in the 510 Centre, where he and I first met, in 1976; we married in 2003. He continued to be involved with NPCD until its closure in 2010. There he worked with various campaigns and groups, including the Dominican community in North Paddington, which led to his later work in the Caribbean, and the Walterton and Elgin residents’ campaign against the sale of council housing by Shirley Porter’s regime at Westminster council.

In 1977, Philip also started a lifelong project documenting the face-to-face public debate of speakers, hecklers and audiences at Speakers’ Corner, in Hyde Park, published in his book Speakers’ Corner: Debate, Democracy and Disturbing the Peace (2015).

His work grew to cover other campaigns, some far from home – banana farmers and migrant cane-cutters in the Caribbean; healthworkers in Gaza – but most on his own doorstep. He collaborated with groups in Notting Hill in the 1970s and King’s Cross in the late 80s. His photographs – and, later, videos – captured working lives across the UK and, finally, London under lockdown. His images remain available online, alongside a thoughtful blog.

Philip Wolmuth’s photograph of Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park, London, 1995
Philip Wolmuth’s photograph of Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park, London, 1995

Philip was equally busy at home with repairs (skills he learned while squatting in the 70s), growing vegetables, playing and listening to music, and being the token anarcho-socialist at the local tennis club. Known for his warmth, sharp humour, twinkling eyes and panoramic anti-establishment lens, he had many friends from all parts of his life.

He is survived by me and our daughters, Anna and Eva.

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