Skinningrove is the last publication Killip worked on before his passing in 2020. Known for his passion for photography books, he oversaw every element of this book, which features many previously unseen images. We are very proud to release this unique publication to the world.
Born on the Isle of Man in 1946, he began his career as a commercial photographer before turning to his own work in the late 1960s. His book, "In Flagrante," a collection of photographs taken in northeast England during the 1970s and early 1980s, is now recognized as a landmark work of documentary photography.
The village of Skinningrove is located on the northeast coast of England, tucked away in a steep-sided valley off the main road and overlooking the North Sea. The photographs Chris Killip took of its fiercely independent working-class community between 1982 and 1984 are arguably Killip's most intimate work.
“Like many close-knit fishing communities, it can be hostile to strangers, especially one with a camera.
 
“Now then” is the standard greeting at Skinningrove; a defiant substitute for the more common “Hello.” The place had a distinct advantage, and it took time until they tolerated this stranger. My greatest ally in gaining acceptance was Leso (Leslie Holliday), the most outgoing of the younger fishermen. Leso and I never discussed what I was doing there, but when anyone questioned my presence, he would intercede and answer for me by saying, “It’s fine.” This simple endorsement was enough.
“The last time I photographed at Skinningrove was in 1984 and I didn’t return for thirty years. When I did, I was struck by how much it had changed, as only one boat was still fishing. For me, Skinningrove’s sense of purpose was tied to its collective obsession with the sea. The Skinningrove fishermen believed the sea in front of them was their private territory, theirs alone. Without the competitive energy that came from fishing, the place seemed a pale reflection of its former self.” - Chris Killip