Lady Gaga photographer puts 'sandals vicar' on show

15 hours ago

Jaimielee RendallSuffolk

Retired vicar, Andrew Dotchin, says being part of the exhibition was a "privilege"

Tim Walker/Supplied A man is standing next to a portrait of himself in robes as his job as a vicar. He is wearing a beige jacket, and a light blue shirt with a cross around his neck which is on a rainbow coloured lanyard. He has a white beard and is wearing glasses. — Retired vicar, Andrew Dotchin, says being part of the exhibition was a "privilege"

A photographer who has captured Chappell Roan and Lady Gaga has chosen a sandal-loving vicar to feature in a new National Portrait Gallery exhibit.

Tim Walker's show Fairyland: Love and Legends is described as an exploration of queer identity, community and love, in which the photographer spent five years shooting activists, performers, artists and writers - including the Right Reverend Andrew Dotchin from Ipswich, Suffolk.

"It's beyond my wildest dreams and just such a privilege to be there," Dotchin told BBC Radio Suffolk's Matt Marvel.

During his career, Dotchin forged links with Suffolk Pride and conducted one of the first same-sex partnership blessings at a Church of England service.

Dotchin became well-known in Suffolk for his love of wearing sandals and he revealed that he was wearing them under his robes in his portrait.

The exhibition is at the National Portrait Gallery in London and runs until 7 February

Tim Walker/Supplied Two portraits hang on a wall. The portrait on the left shows two women, who are vicars, holding hands and looking at each other. One is wearing a grey jacket and the other is wearing a yellow jacket with flowers on. The portrait on the right shows a vicar in pink robes holding a Bible. — The exhibition is at the National Portrait Gallery in London and runs until 7 February

The portrait of Dotchin was taken when he led the same-sex blessing of the Right Reverend Catherine Bond and the Right Reverend Jane Pearce in Felixstowe in 2023.

The couple, who are both associate priests, also feature in the exhibition.

The service followed the Church of England's decision that year to sanction blessing's for same-sex couples.

"I've been privileged to be at a place where people who want to celebrate their love can, and have found a safe place in the communities I've worshipped with," Dotchin said.

"Down the years, right back to the very beginning of my being a vicar 40-odd years ago, I've always been welcomed by the lesbian and gay community.

"To finally be in a place where the church said these people deserve to be blessed, and have the whole parish celebrate that love is love."

His, Bond's and Pearce's portraits hang alongside famous faces including Alan Carr, Sir Ian McKellen and Sandi Toksvig.