SHADOWS AND SCALE: A Monochromatic Journey through Port-Louis Market by Elizabeth Leech

It's the tangy smell, the dirt on the floor, poultry and fish. The place was vintage, on two feet around the 1820s. The stalls were once busy, and that floor is still striking. I used to play checkers on the ground with my feet until mum's done paying. These are the most memorable souvenirs I can recall from the Port-Louis Market.

I can see Port-Louis Market for what it is: place where butchers and fishmongers cohabitate. A place full of weapons meant to feed the population. Between the hurried hours, their smile feels like sunshine.

Plot twist, I've seen this woman in my hometown. Her features look so familiar.

Elizabeth Leech's talent reveals itself effortlessly. How can she make fish scales look so glamorous? I swear, they look almost luxurious.

I've definitely seen this scene before: butchers busy cutting and trimming their meat, weighing, wrapping and laying the portions on display.

They appear so calm, suspended in a meditative state. This may be their Ikigai or simply the comfort of their routine.

I can see a dog staring at me. There's a melancholy in its eyes. You can see straight through it. When was its last supper?

Strays circling this place for food, grabbing bones, chicken skin and scraps from the ground. A familiar scene for the regulars.

The stillness in this photo brings a quiet charm to the market. Three strangers move through their routines in a single frame, while Elizabeth, waits patiently for this moment to unfold.

Elizabeth's shots feel like a film in slow motion, each image meticulously composed.

My favourite shot is this lifeless curtain. It seems to have spent a lifetime by the eerie window. I guess its true color faded by the sunlit room.

Serene and present in the moment, she is shining. She chose the perfect colour for this portrait: black and white. There's no fancy distractions, just simplicity, focus, and mindfulness shining through every pixel.

I loved every minute of this exhibition. It was a visual treat to the eye - so poetic and nostalgic, truly special. I hope my letter conveyed how i felt and that it brought back some cherished memories of Port-Louis Market for you as well.

I had the immense joy of meeting Elizabeth Leech during her photo exhibition, Shadows and Scales: A Monochromatic Journey through Port-Louis Market, held at the Caudan Arts Centre in November 2023.

Elizabeth is an English photographer who has lived in Mauritius for the past ten years. Her exhibition celebrated one of our Island's few remaining heritage sites: the historic Port-Louis Market.

In this podcast episode, she shared her journey as a photographer, her past doubts, her creative process and her growth mindset.

Thanks for reading!