UK photographer Jocelyn Bain Hogg spent ten years documenting organized crime life, from the activity of British gangsters in South London to their exile in Tenerife, Canary Islands. With unprecedented access, these glaring images capture the storied villains at home, salacious private parties, unlicensed boxing matches, business talks ,and funerals of the “the old-school Godfathers of British crime” whose deaths would fracture and decentralize the social order within these underworld societies. The Firm was completed in 2001, re-visted in 2008, and is now on view at London’s Foto 8 Gallery through January 14.
“These are not the faces of criminals who hide behind the facade of respectability or the corruption of political influence. They are, in fact, the real thing, men who hold their head up when challenged, and who seek no false redemption in the face of public vilification.” Meet the family in our gallery.
Mickey at home with Maria and Chanelle. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Fight night at the Kensington Palace Hotel. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Mickey’s gang, Tenerife. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Debt collection, South Wales. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Private party, Mayfair. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Mickey talking business, Bobby’s bar, Tenerife. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Bernie’s boys, South Wales. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Joe Pyle senior, leading figure from London’s underworld. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Charlie Kray’s funeral, 19 April 2000, Chingford. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm
Dave Courtney discusses his life of crime at the Oxford University Union. Photo credit: Jocelyn Bain Hogg, The Firm