Explore one of the UK’s most critical decades, the 1980s. This exhibition traces the work of a diverse community of photographers, collectives and publications –creating radical responses to the turbulent Thatcher years. Set against the backdrop of race uprisings, the miner strikes, section 28, the AIDS pandemic and gentrification – be inspired by stories of protest and change.
At the time, photography was used as a tool for social change, political activism, and artistic and photographic experiments. See powerful images that gave voice and visibility to underrepresented groups in society. This includes work depicting the Black arts movement, queer experience, South Asian diaspora and the representation of women in photography.
This exhibition examines how photography collectives and publications highlighted these often-unseen stories, featured in innovative photography journals such as Ten 8 and Cameraworks. It will also look at the development of Autograph ABP, Half Moon Photography Workshop, and Hackney Flashers.
Visitors will go behind the lens to trace the remarkable transformation of photography in Britain and its impact on art and the world.
Martin Parr The Last Resort 23 From 'The Last Resort' 1983-1985 Tate Purchase 2002 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos
Syd Shelton Darcus Howe addressing the anti-racist demonstrators, Lewisham, 13 August 1977 Dated 1977, printed 2020 Tate Presented by the artist 2021 © Syd Shelton
Anna Fox Work Stations, Independent Video Production Company 1988 The Hyman Collection, Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography © Anna Fox
Paul Graham Union Jack Flag in Tree, County Tyrone 1985, printed 1993-4 Tate Presented by Tate Members 2007 © Paul Graham; courtesy Pace and Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York
Paul Trevor Outside police station, Bethnal Green Road, London E2, 17 July 1978 1978, printed 2024 Paul Trevor © 2024
Al-An deSouza Junglee, Indian Aphorisms series 1992/2024 Courtesy Al-An deSouza and Talwar Gallery, New York and New Delhi
Brenda Prince Anti-Clause 27 demo in Whitehall, London, 9 June 1988 Format Photographers Archive, Bishopsgate Institute © Brenda Price
Grace Lau Series Interiors Lent by the artist © Grace Lau 1986
Find out more about our exhibition The 80s: Photographing Britain by reading the exhibition guide.
Need a bigger font size of the exhibition guide? Download the large print guide [1.04 Mb].
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