the man on the cover is a local legend in clapton, east london - known as joe, shaolin joe, or simply “the monk”. he spends his time out in the street performing meditative martial arts and delivering pearls of wisdom to passersby.

nearly 2 years after the cover image was taken, i met him again and asked him if he wanted to see the old photos i took. he calmly shook his head and said, “there’s no need for recognition.” i asked to take another portrait and he hopped onto a bollard to strike his signature pose once more. i hope to enter it into the portrait of britain awards 2025.