After the End of History:British Working Class Photography Exhibition- Bonnington

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 After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 - 2024 Exhibition

We visited the Bonnington gallery today where they exhibited the work of 26 artists spanning over 35 years and curated by Johny Pitts. The exhibition looks at the lives of the working class from their own perspective rather than from an outsider who hasn't experienced this type of life.  

When I first walked into the gallery, it was quite bright with spotlights from the ceiling. The walls were painted black followed by a black and white checkered floor and a yellow display case that was made to look like a DJ booth. It felt like going back in time walking into a club scene back in the 90's before the party started. There was also a boom box playing Reggae, Old skool Garage and other genres from the 90's that were recorded by Johny Pitts big sister Chantal Pitts from a pirate radio in Sheffield. These were originally on cassette tape that Pitts digitalised.

I was born in 1981 and spent the late 90's and early 00's in this type of rave scene so I found comfort taking in the photography from Ewen Spencer where he photographed scenes from 'Twice as nice'  a UK Garage promotion that I used to attend. I could have easily been in some of these photographs. 



I really liked images of Eddie Otchere because of the nostalgia of the 90's again. The Jungle and Drub & Bass was another scene I was also into. It is only now that I realised I was apart of the working class as I was dancing professionally and working in retail during this period of my life. However I didn't feel bogged down about life or trying to escape the pressure of society. The film roll burn out effect on the photos that were done on purpose by these photographers were not what I was trying to achieve when taking photos on my disposable wind up camera my friends and I would take out on a night out. However these imperfections have that classic 90's feel that take you right back. These photos are full of life, movement and colour that make you feel like you're in that hot sweaty club with them. 








 

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