About the North: Imagined Dialogues.

A major documentary photography exhibition for the Great Exhibition of the North

The work of more than 30 great photographers

Some of the UK’s most compelling documentary photography has been of the North of England. Side Gallery is taking the opportunity of the Great Exhibition of the North to explore the richness of the different visions: celebrations of lives and landscapes, defiant championing of communities and their concerns, arguments with power and the metropolitan centre.

Structured around the themes of Place, Transport, Work and Leisure, About the North features the work of 35 photographers over two floors. With 125 photographs to view.

Curator, Dean Chapman, said:

“Documentary challenges the way people look at things. Sometimes this can play a role in creating stereotypes, which are then the spur for new challenges. We’ve sought out key works from the last 50 years. Whether we’re drawing on our own extraordinary resources in the AmberSide Collection or borrowing works from the photographers themselves we’re focusing on presenting great photographs we haven’t shown before.

“Between the different images people will be able to explore what has stimulated and inspired these artists – and the changing landscapes and contexts within which they have worked.”