The 1980s were a time of significant cultural change, characterized by the rise of iconic bands and pop culture, but also marked by various challenges and struggles. This decade witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the rise of cocaine use, and the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. While the United States was dealing with its own challenges, the United Kingdom was also facing multiple issues during the same period. In light of this, Tate Britain has unveiled a new exhibition that explores British photography from the 1980s, highlighting the social and political upheavals that the nation experienced.
All images in this article are screenshots.
The 80s: Photographing Britain is an expansive exhibition that explores the turbulent and rich era through the lens of British photographers. The works will be exhibited in 12 rooms and display photographs captured by 70 photographers, artists, collectives, and magazines. Curators Yasufumi Nakamori, Jasmine Chohan, and Helen Little designed the space in such a way that one can see the role of photography in shaping the political and social spheres of Britain from 1976 to 1993. This also happens to be the decades that faced difficulties such as economic crises, civil unrest, and significant cultural shifts.
Through this display, you see a broad range of practices in the world of photography. But that’s not all; you also see diverse works that comment on themes of race, gender, class, environment, and more. Some of the renowned photographers who have been featured include Martin Parr and Chris Killip, as well as lesser-known Black, South Asian, feminist, and queer photographers. The 80s: Photographing Britain also depicts the impacts of collectives and magazines such as Camerawork, Ten.8, and the Association of Black Photographers, which were critical for reflecting on the discourse of race and identity in photography.
Looking at the 1980s, you will also notice political challenges, such as the Winter of Discontent to the Miners’ Strike, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the AIDS crisis, which have been captured through photography. However, the medium was also used to rally for these causes, ask for change, and lead the expression of the artists. According to the curators, the 1970s and the 1980s share a connection, with the former greatly influencing the latter decade’s image-making. As Jasmine Chohan, assistant curator at Tate, said, “The history, politics, social movements, and photographic developments of the 1970s have such a large influence on the 80s.”
The exhibition also includes publications such as i-D that gave rise to iconic photographers such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Nick Knight, and Jason Evans. Furthermore, Tate Britain also charts the course of photography, which went from niche art to a mainstream practice celebrated and revered by many.
Some of the key photographs include Southall – A Home from Home by Dennis Morris, anti-racist Demonstrators by Syd Shelton, and The Last Resort by Martin Parr. Many more works highlight the South Asian community in the 1980s, feminism, and the Black arts movements, as well as queer experiences recorded at that time. There is also a look at technical changes, such as the beginning of color photography. Above all, the message of the exhibition is to celebrate the community movements, especially those that began as an act of resistance in the face of oppression.
Considering today’s challenges—political, social, economic, racial—The 80s: Photographing Britain reminds us of our past and our fight for equality and justice. Our world would have looked much different if our ancestors had given up. Let these photographs inspire you to confront current challenges with determination.
The photography exhibition is on display at Tate Britain until May 5. For more information, visit the organization’s website.
