#54 CAMERA Book Review: Graeme Oxby - The Kings of England

A look through the fantastic The Kings of England by photographer Graeme Oxby. I did say the word Oxfam for some random reason and forgot to correct myself as I was captivated by the book.

Graeme Oxby's The Kings of England was published by Bluecoat Press in 2018 following a five year documentary project exploring the enduring popularity of Elvis Presley in Britain. Travelling throughout England, Oxby photographed Elvis tribute artists, fans and enthusiasts at competitions, festivals, pubs, clubs, care homes and private gatherings, examining how the legacy of the American musician continues to shape personal identity and community decades after his death in 1977. The project began after Oxby encountered an Elvis impersonator refuelling a white Cadillac at a petrol station, an unexpected meeting that led him to investigate the culture surrounding Elvis tribute performance across the country.

Rather than concentrating on stage performances alone, Oxby photographed the lives of his subjects before and after they stepped into character, recording rehearsals, dressing rooms, family settings and moments of quiet reflection alongside public appearances. His photographs reveal the dedication, craftsmanship and camaraderie that underpin Britain's Elvis community while exploring broader themes of identity, nostalgia and performance. The Kings of England presents a nuanced documentary study of cultural fandom, demonstrating how photography can examine the relationship between popular culture and everyday life through sustained engagement with a close knit community.

Graeme Oxby
Bluecoat Press

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