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

Post 1989 and the fall of the Berlin Wall –  35 years since the symbolic end of Communism – what became of working class culture? Writer and broadcaster Johny Pitts investigates this concept through his curation of  ‘After the End of History’  – a show which explores the diverse aspects of life through the lenses of working class artists.

However, these artists have not only turned their gaze to their own communities, but also out towards the wider world and the stories that have evolved during this post communist era. The result is a breadth of photographic work that not only celebrates contemporary working class life, championing its diversity and beauty, but also challenges perceptions of it, whilst offering a counterintuitive picture of our broader landscape..

“I hope the extraordinary work included offers not only a celebration of the craft and creativity of working class practitioners, but also engages, surprises and inspires a working class audience, and anyone interested in art against-the-odds.” – Johnny Pitts

‘After the End of History‘ will offer a counterintuitive picture of working-class life today, from Rene Matić’s portrait of growing up mixed race in a white working-class community in Peterborough, to Elaine Constaintine‘s documentation of the Northern Soul scene, to Kavi Pujara ode to Leicester’s Hindu community, and JA Mortram’s documentation throughout his life as a caregiver.

Among the artists featured in this exhibition are Richard Billingham, Sam Blackwood, Serena Brown, Antony Cairns, Rob Clayton, Joanne  Coates, Josh Cole, Artúr Čonka, Elaine Constantine, Natasha Edgington, Richard Grassick, Anna Magnowska, Rene Matić, J A Mortram, Kelly O’Brien, Eddie Otchere, Kavi Pujara, Khadija Saye, Chris Shaw, Trevor Smith, Ewen Spencer, Hannah Starkey, Igoris Taran, Nathaniel Télémaque, Barbara Wasiak and Tom Wood.

Spectrum Photographic were delighted to work with Hayward Gallery Touring and produce a mix of colour handprints, digital C-type prints, fine-art giclée prints as well as Blueback prints as part of the overall installation of works.

After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024 is a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition – an initiative aiming to bring contemporary art to people and places all across the UK. The exhibition is free to visit and will show at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry until 16 June 2024, before moving on to Focal Point Gallery, Southend from 3 July, and then finally on to Bonington Gallery, Nottingham from 27 September.