On 14 January 1971, The Photographers’ Gallery opened its doors with The Concerned Photographer, an exhibition that had previously been shown in the United States, Switzerland and Japan, and which presented photography as the optimum medium to document social conditions. This online conference has been organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Photographers’ Gallery in 1971 and will explore the legacy of its innovative programming within broader infrastructures of exhibition, display and photographic practice, from the 1970s to the present day.

This is the second day in a series of talks, presentations and discussion taking place across two weeks in November and December that will showcase new research and practices focusing on the histories of photography in Britain over the last 50 years. The event will also offer a space for thinking about the future of the medium and its display, with panels addressing topics such as materials, process and publishing. The day concludes with a keynote presentation by artist Penny Slinger. 

Please click here for more information on sessions taking place on Thursday 25 November and Thursday 2 December. Full programme available for download below. 

This conference will be held entirely online and is a collaboration between the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and The Photographers’ Gallery. 

Schedule (all times listed in GMT)

10.30 Welcome

Material, Process

10.45 Introduction by Maitreyi Maheshwari (FACT)
10.50 Mo White (Loughborough University), ‘The Use of Photography in Artists’ Slide-tape Works in the UK Since the 1970s’
11.05 Katrina Sluis (Australian National University), Glimmering Screens, Institutional Dreams: Curating Post-Photography
11.50 Rowan Lear (Doctoral Researcher at the University of West London), ‘Honey on the Elbow: Sticky Networks, Invisible Workers and Planetary Processing’
12.05 Peter Ride (University of Westminster), ‘Stepping into Space: New Media Practice and Independent Photography Galleries’

Magazines, Books

14.05 Introduction by Diane Smyth (Journalist)
14.10 Derek Bishton (Journalist and Author), Ten.8 Photographic Magazine 1978–1992
14.25 John Wyver (Royal Shakespeare Company), ‘Screening Photography: BBC Television’s Presentation of Photography, 1969–1988’
15.10 David Brittain (Creative Camera), ‘In-house Publications of The Photographers' Gallery: 1970–80’
15.25 Jacqueline Ennis-Cole (Photographer, Writer and Researcher), Photobooks and Black Women Photographers from the 1980s Onwards

Artist Keynote

18:30 Presentation by Penny Slinger, moderated by Laura Smith (Whitechapel)

Ticketing

Be part of the conversation live over Zoom – book to receive your log in details. If you're unable to join the live conversation, the talk will later be published here and on our YouTube channel.

By booking for this event you agree to our Terms & Conditions.