Information
C O N C E P T to R E A L I T Y
2012 - 2014
In 2012 Ripley was in New York photographing background plates for future work, whilst there he took a number of rooftop views and started to formulate ideas about horses being placed on top of buildings affording panoramic views over urban landscapes. ref: ‘Racehorse in Times Square, New York’ - 2012 (view).
A concept started to develop which would involve the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment portrayed as “Protectors” looking over London and living up to their moniker “Trusted Guardians”.
2015
Ripley presented his proposal to the Household Cavalry which included a brief outline of the concept and referenced his picture ‘Racehorse in an English Landscape’ - 2014 (view), as well as stills from the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’, where Bond is stood on the rooftop of The Department of Energy in Whitehall looking over the Old War Office.
2016
A conversation began about how to go about making the concept a reality and how to schedule in a fairly large photographic production in amongst the Household Cavalry’s busy calendar.
2017
Ripley completed primary photography with the Household Cavalry at Hyde Park Barracks in July.
2018 - 2019
Photography continued in London which involved photographing from elevated positions throughout the capital with kind permissions from many landmark buildings and the Royal Parks.
2020 - 2022
Ripley started work composing the final portraits, bringing all the elements together; the soldiers and horses of the Household Cavalry, cityscapes, skies, foreground architectural features and landscapes. Each composition took 200-300 hours, 6-8 weeks to complete.
2023
The portraits were exhibited for the first time at a private event held at Saddlers' Hall on June 14th.
On June 15th 2023, Ripley, along with senior Officers from the Household Cavalry, presented a boxed-set of the twelve portraits to His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for his Coronation.
Exhibitions continued throughout the rest of 2023 and included a mix of galleries, museums, public buildings and private clubs.
2024
Exhibitions are being held throughout 2024 & 2025 - to view all events please see the exhibition page.
Pictured at top of page : Photographing from the rooftop of The Lanesborough overlooking Wellington Arch.
Pictured below : views creating background plates, London 2018-2020.
