20 questions with photographer and author Martyn Thompson
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Gratitude.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“What’s the upside of this?”
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2014?
Excessive wealth is pretty unattractive but homophobia would top my list.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I’d like to see my parents more often.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I’m a romantic so love is all.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I try to remain detached from matters over which I have no influence.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I know”: I cringe every time I say it.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Agreed. I think it’s important to support what’s around you. I contribute to two charities that aid homeless and underprivileged queer and transgender youth in new york.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I’m happy when I’m not allowed to use my phone. It’s an obsessive attachment too much of the time.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
I’m hoping this is for a remake of Murder on the Orient Express. I love a thriller. My suspects would include heroes all departed: Malcolm McLaren, Christopher Isherwood, Nico, Nijinsky and Queen Victoria.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Coconut ice cream eaten in bed with my boyfriend.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
It’s always cocktail hour somewhere in the world.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. Preferably PG Tips.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I like a good crafting session.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Nikki Tibbles from Wild at Heart.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
An excess of dark chocolate.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
“MUM”.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Gosh: I’m not a car person but I guess I’d be something that can haul a trailer. I always seem to have a lot of baggage.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m very nice.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I’m not a mantelpiece owner but I have a bookshelf that’s amass with animal curiosities. There’s a bronze bee, a pottery kookaburra, a moose, an owl and a fab ceramic kitty by Dove Drury Hornbuckle plus an extraordinary still life constructed entirely of chenille stem (AKA pipe cleaners) by Greg Domres.
Photographer and author Martyn Thompson is an Australian expat who has exhibited London, New Orleans New York, Provincetown, New Orleans and Sydney. He has created imagery for many well-known brands including Gucci, MAC, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co. and is a “keen advocate of change and experiment”.
Follow him on Twitter @Martyn_Thompson.
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