26 Flats, 2025

Barry Cawston  

Highrise living in Hong Kong

26 Flats captures a vibrant facade of an urban apartment building, characterized by a rhythmic grid of windows and contrasting colors. The composition features repetitive rows of rectangular windows, each equipped with air conditioning units, emphasizing the dense residential architecture. The building's color palette transitions from soft pinks on the lower levels to rich yellows above, creating an intriguing visual gradient that suggests the passage of time or changing sunlight. The presence of laundry hanging from some windows introduces an intimate human element, hinting at daily life within this structured exterior. The photograph expertly balances symmetry and living nuances, making a compelling statement about urban dwelling and community. The intricate play of light and shadow across the building's facade further enhances the depth and vibrancy of the scene, inviting viewers to ponder the stories behind each window.

High-rise communal living was once seen as a great step forward for mankind. Cawston's series captures the individual within the collective. By focusing on the repetitive structure it is the anomalies that become apparent and revealing. The images straddle the boundary between abstract and documentary. They drift from an examination of the relationship between colour and structure to reveal details of individuals' lives.

This piece is also available in a 90cm wide version.