'Resistance' Exhibition Chronicles 100 Years of British Protests Through Powerful Photography

February 21, 2025
'Resistance' Exhibition Chronicles 100 Years of British Protests Through Powerful Photography
  • More than just a timeline of dissent, 'Resistance' presents a compelling narrative of social history, enriched by contributions from various writers in its accompanying book.

  • The exhibition 'Resistance' showcases a century of protest in Britain, tracing the journey from the suffragette movement's founding in 1903 to the Iraq war demonstrations in 2003.

  • The exhibition also discusses the impact of social media and technology on protests and photography, marking a significant shift in how images relate to truth.

  • Significant historical protests documented in the exhibition include the unemployment marches of the 1930s and the anti-racism movements of the 1970s.

  • Curated by Clarrie Wallis and conceived by Steve McQueen, the exhibition features a diverse collection of photographs that capture moments of defiance and social movements over the past 100 years.

  • The exhibition emphasizes individual stories alongside collective movements, featuring notable figures like Tony Benn and Bertrand Russell in significant protests.

  • Key protest events featured include the Newbury bypass occupation, the anti-Iraq war vigil by Brian Haw, and the Grunwick Dispute involving exploited female workers from 1976 to 1978.

  • Photographs are presented in black and white, inviting close inspection, and include a variety of sources ranging from personal snapshots to press images.

  • The exhibition highlights both well-known and largely forgotten protests, such as the 1911 demonstration against egret feathers and the 1920 petition by blind people for 'Justice not Charity'.

  • Photographers like Humphrey Spender and Christine Spengler captured poignant moments of resistance, including images of unemployed youth during the Great Depression and soldiers in Northern Ireland.

Summary based on 1 source


Get a daily email with more UK News stories

More Stories