People Watching: Pretzel Cage

PHOTOGRAPHY

May 29

With the launch of his new photo studio in Hackney Downs, portrait artist Matt Ford introduces People Watching—an ongoing series of short video portraits featuring the individuals he photographs in the space. We are proud to present the first film featuring performance artist Pretzel Cage.

Photography Matt Ford  Talent Pretzel Cage

“The idea is simple,” says Ford. “To slow down, sit with the people I photograph, and explore their creative depth and personal lives that often remain hidden behind performance or persona.”

The first in the series is a collaboration with drag artist and multidisciplinary performer Pretzel Cage, aka Xander Lo Lo Noble. “Shot in a quiet moment as we prepared for our stills portrait session, the film captures a more intimate version of Pretzel—unmasked, reflective, and raw. I wanted to hear about the complexity of their solo show Diseases of Canaries and the meanings behind it.”

Since launching the studio, Ford has been offering it for use by other photographers through one-off bookings or monthly memberships. “What’s surprised and excited me most is how this has transformed the space. It’s become more than a studio; it’s a creative meeting point. It’s already been home to a wide range of work, with each photographer and their work adding something different to the space. That energy is what drives the series People Watching too. It’s about connection, observation, and finding the story beneath the surface.” The space continues to grow as more local photographers join the community.

“Whether in drag or out, on stage or in studio, Pretzel brings a raw, thoughtful presence that lingers long after the lens is packed away,” says Ford. “This portrait is just a glimpse—but one I’m grateful to have captured.”

Matt Ford

Pretzel Cage is an artist who embodies that layered complexity. Known for their theatrical solo works and performances with QUEER CXNTRY, they’ve appeared at The Divine, Cambridge Junction, Southbank Centre and The Marlowe—blending cabaret, music, movement, and deeply personal narratives. Their work explores metaphysics, queerness, the body and emotional instability—transformed into lush, surreal, often haunting performances.

Watch the film below

About Pretzel Cage
Before fully stepping into performance, Xander studied Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion and went on to design for Lady Gaga, Florence and the Machine and Alison Goldfrapp. They’ve worked with institutions from Selfridges and Louis Vuitton to Glastonbury and the BBC. In 2021, they completed a Master’s in Fine Art, and have since expanded into curation, grassroots LGBTQIA+ activism, and festival production—most notably founding Margate’s Pride aRT Map.

Follow Pretzle Cage on Instagram

About Matt Ford
Matt is a multidisciplinary photographer, artist and videographer. More often than not, his work focuses on portraiture. However, he shoots everything from product and fashion photography to sci-fi landscapes and is often brought in to art direct commercial projects.

Click HERE to become a member at the photography studio.

To find out more about Matt’s work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram.

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People Watching: Pretzel Cage

With the launch of his new photo studio in Hackney Downs, portrait artist Matt Ford introduces People Watching—an ongoing series of short video portraits featuring the individuals he photographs in the space. We are proud to present the first film featuring performance artist Pretzel Cage.

“Whether in drag or out, on stage or in studio, Pretzel brings a raw, thoughtful presence that lingers long after the lens is packed away,” says Ford. “This portrait is just a glimpse—but one I’m grateful to have captured.”

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