Behind The Counter: David McLean

If you've ventured into our Calvert Avenue store in East London recently, you will have no doubt met David. Mr McLean has been with us since 2018 and we're so glad he has, bringing with him an enviable sense of style and aesthetic appreciation. As well as working in our store, David is an accomplished street photographer, pioneering the genre back in the 90s. He was one of the last people to photograph the late rapper Tupac Shakur, capturing an iconic image just three months before he was gunned down, and which he'd kept under wraps until quite recently.

David is also a self-professed bibliophile, and so we've tapped him up to help us curate a collection of stunning art tomes and magazines for Oliver Spencer Studio. David has recently ventured into publishing himself, but we'll let him tell you all about that...

What led to your interest in photography and how has that evolved over the years?

When I was a teenager, in a very grey Edinburgh in the 1980s, I obsessively bought style magazines like The Face, I-D and Blitz Magazine. They were always full of incredible characters like Leigh Bowery, Michael Clarke and Malcolm McLaren, which blew my mind as an adolescent kid growing up in Scotland. I remember seeing Nick Knight covers for I-D Magazine, and it was a lightbulb moment, I was hooked! I subsequently went to live in Milan in the mid-90s and became a street photographer. Recently, one of the photos I took of Tupac has become quite well known. In fact, I sold it as and NFT and then Kendrick Lamar bought a print! A true pinch-myself moment. I also had a solo show in Tokyo 2012 thanks to Paul Smith who was a fan of my work. I continue to do street photography as I find it so de-stressing and it gets you out of the house. But it has become more of a personal project than a commercial one now, as its very hard to monetise it. 

Have books always been a passion of yours? 

Always! They are an obsession that I have to feed. But before books it started with Modern Age Marvel Comics. As a kid, I obsessively collected the legendary John Byrne runs of The X-Men and The Fantastic Four. Then I went to university and, under the influence of my peers, started to read more counterculture books by the likes of William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, and J.G. Ballard. All the good stuff that they don't give you at school. There's that famous quote from John Waters about not going home with someone who doesn't have books. It's too rude to quote fully here, but it sums up my feelings about books perfectly.

What type of books interest you?

I have such broad tastes! However, as my budget isn't unlimited, my main focus of interest is photography, contemporary art, and queer biography and fiction. My all-time favourite hobby is perusing second-hand charity shop bookshelves. You never know what treasures you're going to find. I recently unearthed a rare Nick Cave book with a gold Banksy cover!

How did you get into buying and selling books in the first place?

From its humble beginnings, my venture has grown significantly. I'm thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of my website, Bona Varda, where I'll be selling original art, rare collectible books, and even featuring my own publishing imprint. My inaugural release, set for November, will feature the wonderful work of the emerging figurative artist Phil Douglas, also known as "The Sensitive Line", on Instagram. These are exciting times for me; I genuinely feel like I'm just beginning my journey. 

Can you tell us about how you approached this season’s publications buy at Oliver Spencer? Was there a theme you were looking to manifest, or are they all individual works of literary art? 

It's not quite a theme, but rather a sentiment that I aimed to capture. These are titles that I believed would complement the ambiance of the store and resonate with Oliver Spencer's discerning clientele. Books have a unique ability to initiate engaging conversations, and I aspired to establish a space where customers could encounter intriguing books they hadn't encountered previously, potentially discovering something novel.

It was also important for me to support smaller, independent publishers, such as Jane & Jeremy, Mack Books, Loose Joints, and Gareth McConnell's Sorika imprint. All of these publishers are producing exceptionally exciting books that cover a wide range of esoteric subjects. The pride and care put into their books is truly incredible! I highly recommend checking them out.

I also had the privilege of featuring one of the world's best publishing houses, Thames & Hudson, renowned for its extensive catalogue of over 2,000 titles, all while maintaining its independence. Among the array of impressive works, my current favourite is "Underworlds" by the distinguished image architect, Stephen Ellcock. We even have signed copies available.

What’s a magazine that few people know about that you would really recommend?

Doesn't Exist: A wonderful biannual magazine that combines fashion elements within a cinematic landscape - designed for lovers of fashion, cinema, and art. Past issues have featured Peter Greenaway, John Waters, and Michelangelo Antonioni. It's a brilliant concept for a magazine, and it's surprising that nobody has done it before.

Where does someone start curating a really visually pleasing coffee table selection? 

Please visit our store and feel free to approach me for a chat! Few things bring me more joy than discussing books. If you're uncertain, my top recommendation is to invest in titles that genuinely pique your interest, and, when possible, seek out first editions with author signatures. If you're considering beginning a collection, you might want to explore Rene Matić's 'Flags for Countries That Don't Exist but Bodies That Do.' Rene Matić is an up-and-coming, non-binary artist, and this book marks their impressive debut. Notably, Tate Britain has recently added a collection of their photographs to their prestigious catalogue. Keep a close eye on this talent – you heard it here first!