Amateur photographer Chris Bennett has turned an ordinary phone booth in Lancaster, England, into an extraordinary art exhibition space, displaying dozens of photographs taken from inside the very same booth. The unusual project began on a rainy Saturday morning when Bennett took shelter in the neglected phone booth and discovered an unexpectedly compelling photographic perspective.
Bennett had previously attempted to photograph from inside the phone booth but never achieved satisfying results. However, as rain continued to pour down on Lancaster's main street, he decided to give his concept another chance. "I thought it would be a waste of time, as I would be shooting through two windows and the subjects would be further away, but I was wrong!" Bennett told PetaPixel. The accumulated layers of poster residue, sticker remnants, scratches, and spills on the glass created a doubled patina effect that produced remarkably interesting results.
The photographer's favorite image from that initial session became known as "Mugshot 1," marking the beginning of what would evolve into an extensive project called KX-100, named after the phone booth's specific model number. Since that first rainy day, Bennett has captured hundreds of additional photographs, all taken from within the cramped 7-foot by 3-foot space. Despite the confined workspace and the challenge of shooting through windows, the resulting images show surprising variety and artistic depth.
"At one point, the windows were replaced, so I got a chance to work from a clean sheet and witness the patina building up again," the photographer explained. "As time went on, I realized I was chronicling the last years of the British phone box coupled with a unique perspective on life in Lancaster." This realization transformed what began as a spontaneous photo session into a documentary project capturing both the decline of an iconic British institution and daily life in his community.
When Bennett noticed a removal notice posted on the phone booth, he saw an opportunity to bring his project to a meaningful conclusion. Initially, he had considered organizing a guerrilla exhibition inside the kiosk but decided against it to avoid potential criminal damage charges. Instead, he contacted BT's press office directly and received permission within a day, with the only condition being that he not interfere with the equipment or its eventual removal.
The unique exhibition officially opened on October 25 and will continue running through December. Bennett has installed 70 4x4-inch prints throughout the payphone interior, decorating the windows and back wall with his collected works. "I saw the removal of the phone box as an opportunity to bring the project to a fitting conclusion and to give the city the chance to see itself from this unique perspective," Bennett stated.
The exhibition includes an interactive element that reflects Bennett's connection to his community. He has made an offer to exhibition visitors that if they recognize themselves in any of the photographs, they can take that particular print home with them. As images are removed by their subjects, Bennett replaces them with others from his extensive collection, ensuring the exhibition remains complete throughout its run.
Public response to the unconventional exhibition has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong community support for the project. The phone company BT has not revealed the exact removal date for the booth, so the images will remain on display until that time arrives. Bennett's innovative use of the condemned phone booth as both subject and gallery space represents a creative approach to community art and historical documentation.
The project captures a unique moment in British cultural history, documenting the final chapter of the iconic red phone box while simultaneously serving as an intimate portrait of daily life in Lancaster. More of Bennett's photographic work can be viewed on his Instagram account, where he continues to share his artistic vision and community-focused projects.
