NIGEL HENDERSON | CORONATION KIDS

These four characterful East London kids, dressed in their best for the 1953 Coronation, posing patiently for the camera under a flurry of raggedy bunting, will now be in their mid-seventies, around the same age as King Charles. They will, no doubt, currently be preparing for Charles’ coronation, if they’re still with us.

Nigel Henderson, Coronation, Four Kids, Poplar, 1953. Vintage Gelatin Silver Print. Courtesy of James Hyman Gallery

The photograph was taken by Nigel Henderson, part of a series of documentary photos he took around his home in Bethnal Green between 1948 and 1953. A set of photos taken during the Coronation celebrations – focussing mainly on children – features in an online exhibition at James Hyman Gallery, who represent the artist.

Henderson was a graduate of The Slade, and went on to become an influential member of The Independent Group, alongside Eduardo Paolozzi and William Turnbull. He is considered an important mover and shaker in the radicalisation of British art in the 1950s. In 1956 he participated in the seminal Pop Art exhibition this is tomorrow at the Whitechapel Gallery.

Most of his work is held in public collections: the Tate holds a major archive of his photos. Henderson didn’t edition his Bethnal Green prints, but those that remain are extremely rare as he only developed a few of each negative. This print is on sale at £3,000.

On the off chance you are, or you recognise, one of these kids, please get in touch! You can view the rest of the collection at jameshymangallery.com, up until May 1.