MMM… It’s the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Morley’s or Less
South London’s ‘fake’ chicken shops
A long-term photographic project to document imitation Morley’s chicken shops was shown at Gareth Gardner Gallery as part of the 2019 Deptford X art festival fringe.
This photographic collection documents the humour, chaos and creativity unleashed upon the canvas of the south London High Street by this late-stage capitalist phenomenon.
About the artists
The trio behind the project – Jens Kongstad, Nick Blomstrand and William Molho – met at architecture school at UCL and subsequently all lived south of the river.
The project reflects their shared passion for the city and life outside its centre. The trio have future plans for a book of their work, but saw the exhibition as a great way to conclude the project.
Since the exhibition, the trio have continued to publish their annual calendar and have also exhibited the work at locations including Lewisham’s Museum of Migration.
Further reading
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Morley’s is a fast food chain which first originated in Sydenham, south London in 1985. Famed for selling fried chicken, wings and spare ribs, it is the home of the ‘Triple M Burger’.
This series of more than 50 elevational photographs, the majority arranged in two main grids, builds on a three-year Instagram project by artist collective ‘Morley’s or Less’. They have travelled throughout south London and beyond to capture imitation Morley’s chicken shops, which are almost as commonplace as the original franchise.
The resulting images capture such replicas as Mowley, Monleys, Morliss and Merlie. The fake Morley’s, in their unmistakable palette of white and red are sometimes subtle subterfuges, while others are unashamed rip-offs.
One might sometimes be forgiven for thinking they are the real thing, especially in the early hours.
