Over 50 years of community life captured in Hackney Museum’s latest exhibition
A new photography exhibition ‘At Home in Hackney: a community photographed 1970-today’ will open with a special launch event on Thursday 14 September. Co-curated by Hackney Museum and photographers Tom Hunter and Sue Andrews of the East London Photographers Collective, the exhibition explores 50 years of local life through photography, from 1970s activism to the current party scene.
The photographs on display, mainly from Hackney Museum and the East End Archives’ collections, feature work from established and emerging photographers connected with Hackney, including Tom Hunter, Neil Martinson, Don Travis, Rachel Whiteread, Colin O’Brien, Future Hackney, and contemporary youth voices. The images provide a fascinating insight into the celebrations, disruptions and everyday lives of the borough and its people.
During October and November, residents will have a chance to see photo installations as part of an outdoor pop-up exhibition in collaboration with Jack Arts. Each billboard will be up for a fortnight in different locations around the borough.
Hackney based photographer Tom Hunter has also curated a film season at the Hackney Picturehouse to complement the exhibition. The films have all been made in Hackney and feature locations set in the borough. Weekly screenings will be held throughout the duration of the exhibition and will feature full length and shorts films, with discussions by directors. Hackney Picturehouse will also be running an exhibition in parallel of photographic works by artists including Chris Dorly-Brown, David George, Tom Hunter, Heather McDonough and Madeleine Waller.
Hackney is my home. It’s one of the culturally richest places in the world, filled with all kinds of people making their mark and standing out. This exhibition highlights some of these remarkable people and events from the 70’s till now through the lens of photography. From the Hackney Flashers Woman’s Collective to the demolition of council tower blocks, to home life and street life, to the rock against racism concert in Victoria park, it maps out a social history of Hackney’s ever changing and diverse community.
At Hackney we’re proud to celebrate our local heritage and support initiatives such as this which bring our community closer together. The photos on display offer an intimate and enlightening glimpse into the everyday moments that have shaped our diverse and dynamic borough. From the activism of the 1970s to today's more vibrant party scene, the exhibition captures the essence of Hackney and the strength of its people. I encourage everyone to come along to Hackney Museum and connect with the heart of Hackney, both past and present.
Attendees to the launch event will hear a brief introduction from co-curators and photographers Tom Hunter and Sue Andrews, who will share some of their insights on local photography, as well an opportunity to view some of the highlights from the exhibition. A more detailed public talk will take place on Thursday 26 October.
Notes
Book your free tickets to the launch event on Thursday 14 September or one of the related events at Hackney Museum via eventbrite.
Information on Hackney Museum’s opening hours is available here.
This exhibition is a collaboration between Hackney Museum, East End Archive and East London Photographers Collective.
Part of the Build Hollywood family, Jack Arts places culture at the heart of our cities, specialising in inspiring street campaigns that create authentic interactions with people on the street.