Tony Brien

 

Tony is a conceptual photographer specialising in the study and recording of environmental development. He has travelled extensively, capturing moments in time whilst dangling from a chain 850ft above London Docklands or working in harsh desert locations. He has also produced some stunning fine art photography of still life and people.

He started his career in a Fleet street press agency, followed by Sotheby’s, and then set up his own studio in a mews off Oxford Street in central London.

His freelance career has given him the opportunity to continue to develop and explore new ideas and techniques for his unique imagery. His creative and innovative approach blending photography, alchemy and painting gives his work a distinctive style and diversity. He was awarded the British Invention Society Gold Medal for innovation.

April 2023 - press coverage:

 

View a selection of Tony’s photography below ↓

 
Featured
Final Countdown
Final Countdown

Limited edition print on Hahnemuhle fine art paper
110 x 145.5 cm, signed, limited edition of 100
85 x 112 cm, signed, limited edition of 150
60 x 78 cm, signed, limited edition of 200
42 x 54 cm, signed, limited edition of 250

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On this very blustery November day in 1990, the wind around the tower was gusting at 50 knots. The area was crowded with excited politicians, dignitaries and the Worlds press. The operation was moments away from being cancelled because of the dangerous conditions as both the steel pyramid top and myself could have tipped or spun out of control. Suddenly the wind dropped considerably, so I radioed “shall we try to lift”, most agreed, one crane was attached to me and another to the pyramid and up we went. Halfway up the tower, around 500ft, it started to gust again, as predicted my box and the pyramid started to slowly spin, I was committed, so on I went to the top... Seemed like a good idea at the time!

London Calling
London Calling

Limited edition print on Hahnemuhle fine art paper
55 x 150 cm, signed, limited edition of 100
45 x 120 cm, signed, limited edition of 200
38.5 x 100 cm, signed, limited edition of 300

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The wind still gusting at 50 knots. The three flags of the United States, Canada and the Union Jack were already attached to the pyramid on the ground, the spinning on the way up had caused them to tightly knot up around the posts. The tension, noise, controlled mayhem and bravery of the steelworkers who were desperately trying to secure this heavy teetering final piece of the jigsaw was amazing to witness. I was still hanging on for dear life in a box 850 feet in mid-air yet just 50 feet away from the action. I shouted across to the steelworkers “can you pull the flags out” after much tugging and pulling he shouting back triumphantly “is that OK”. I raised a thumbs up and captured this final moment, then at last, I could happily radio the crane driver, “get me out of here”

The Waiting Game #4
The Waiting Game #4

Limited edition print on Hahnemuhle fine art paper
110 x 156 cm, signed, limited edition of 100
85 x 120 cm, signed, limited edition of 150
60 x 83.5 cm, signed, limited edition of 200
42 x 57.5 cm, signed, limited edition of 250

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This image captures the moment that the iconic pyramid was lowered down by a crane and placed atop One Canada Square, the jewel in the crown of London's newly regenerated Docklands. A new global financial hub was born.

The Waiting Game
The Waiting Game

Panoramic series of four photographs
Limited edition print on Hahnemuhle fine art paper
44 x 150 cm, signed, limited edition of 100
36.5 x 120 cm, signed, limited edition of 200
31.5 x 100 cm, signed, limited edition of 300

ENQUIRE HERE

This series of four images captures the moment that the iconic pyramid was lowered down by a crane and placed atop One Canada Square, the jewel in the crown of London's newly regenerated Docklands. A new global financial hub was born.

 

Understanding the Canary Wharf images:

These unique London Docklands images were thought lost for over three decades and just rediscovered. The shoot almost never happened, Tony had been asked if he would ride up from the ground in an open box attached to a chain connected to a crane that was, in turn, bolted to the building at 850ft, above the top of the main tower itself. He needed to capture the unique “topping out”, telling the story of the regeneration of London Docklands and London itself.

These seminal images over our London are reminiscent of the iconic 1932 image of the New York skyscraper topping out, with builders having lunch balanced on a steel girder. Time magazine included that image in its list of the 100 most influential images of all time.

 

To enquire about Tony’s photographs please contact us here