Lady Gaga photographer puts 'sandals vicar' on show
Tim Walker/SuppliedA 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 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.
Tim Walker/SuppliedThe portrait of Dotchin was taken when he led the same-sex blessing of the Reverend Catherine Bond and the Reverend Jane Pearce in Felixstowe in 2023.
The couple, who are both priests in the seaside town, 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.
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