Press Release

Explore powerful photography in a decade of social and political change

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.

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Also Exhibiting at Tate Britain

About the Gallery

Tate Britain is a landmark museum located on Millbank, London, renowned for its collection of British art from the 1500s to the present day. Housed in an imposing neoclassical building on the banks of the Thames, the museum offers a comprehensive view of the evolution of British art, from the Tudor period to contemporary practice. Alongside its permanent collection—which includes major works by artists such as J.M.W. Turner, William Blake, and Barbara Hepworth—Tate Britain also stages significant exhibitions of both contemporary and historic art.

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Millbank
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Daily
10am – 6pm
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London Millbank
Tate Britain
Millbank, London, United Kingdom

Opening hours
Daily
10am – 6pm
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