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Tate Britain Festival

Flashbacks Photography in the 80s & now

25 January 2025 at 10.00–18.00

Syd Shelton, Darcus Howe addressing the anti-racist demonstrators, Lewisham, 13 August 1977 1977, printed 2020. Tate. © Syd Shelton.

Join us for a talk and workshops in response to The 80s: Photographing Britain

Come along to learn about the experiences, techniques and ideas that shaped the work of artists in the 1980s. See how photography helped empower the voices of communities left behind. Hear artists speak on the deep social changes of this critical decade and how the culture of that time influences art making today.

True to Form: workshop with Campbell Addy and J.G. Basdew

Drawing inspiration from the The 80s: Photographing Britain, this workshop highlights how artists can cultivate courage and shape meaningful work, even in times of uncertainty. Participants will leave with tools to build and sustain their own authentic voices within the evolving creative landscape.

Location: Taylor Digital Studio

Time: 10.00–12.30

Fully booked

POSTPONED: Sutapa Biswas in Conversation

Sutapa Biswas
Kali (1983–1985)
Tate

© Sutapa Biswas. All rights reserved, DACS 2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances this talk is postponed. Check the event page for new date to be announced soon.

Biswas' Synapse series (showing in The 80s: Photographing Britain) portray the artist in a performative ritual. Through these images, she explores the idea of 'scaffolding' - a literal and metaphorical framework for building, breaking and repair. Join Biswas and curator Jasmine Chohan for a conversation exploring Biswas’ practice through the lens of 'scaffolding' and disobedience.

Co-curating the Bengali Photo Archive: workshop with Eleni Parousi

This drop in workshop led by Eleni Parousi will build a collaborative pop-up exhibition that celebrates the vibrant history of the Bengali community in Tower Hamlets from the 1970s to the 1990s, utilising photographs from the Bengali Photo Archive, held by Four Corners Archive. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the community's journey during a transformative period marked by both challenges and resistance.

Location: Clore Studio

Time: 14.30 - 17.00

Free and drop-in (no tickets needed)

Through the Lens of Time: Ajamu X and J.G. Basdew in conversation

A black and white portrait of two men.

Ajamu X and J.G. Basdew, November 2024. Photo courtesy of the artists in collaboration with Shane Sutherland.

Ajamu X and J.G. Basdew will reflect on the activism and creative output of the 1980s, emphasising how intergenerational dialogue fosters understanding, solidarity, and new approaches to addressing contemporary social challenges. They will be joined by photographers Campbell Addy and Stephen Isaac-Wilson. Together, they will explore the ongoing influence of the 1980s on their practices and discuss how contemporary photography continues to engage with activism, identity, and cultural legacy.

Location: Clore Auditorium

Time: 16.30–18.00

£10 / £7 Concessions / £5 for Tate Collective.

Book for Through the Lens of Time

Sutapa Biswas

Sutapa Biswas (b 1962) is an Indian-born, internationally known British artist who lives and works in London. Biswas came to prominence in the mid-1980’s when immediately following her graduation from the University of Leeds where she studied fine art, art history and the philosophy of science, her iconic undergraduate painting ‘Housewives with Steak-knives’ (1983-85) and video ‘Kali’ (1983-85) were showcased in the landmark ICA, London exhibition ‘The Thin Black Line’ (1985) curated by artist Lubaina Himid. An interdisciplinary artist, in 1992 Biswas held her first solo exhibition ‘Synapse’ at The Photographer’s Gallery, London, following which her ‘Synapse’ series (1987-1992) was nominated for the Deutsche Bank European Photography Award, 1992.

Ajamu X

Ajamu X (FRPS) is a darkroom/fine art photographic artist. His practice places the sensual -material attributes of production, making and process at the centre of the work and whose subject matter is similarly focused on sensuality. His images privilege those tangible/tactile sensuous elements of a socially engaged photographic practice which literally/metaphorically rubs up against the flattening out of photographic practices  to simple and  staid notions of identity - thinking and representation. His work has been exhibited in many prestigious museums, galleries worldwide and alternative spaces worldwide. In 2022, he was canonised by The Trans Pennine Travelling Sisters/Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as the Patron Saint of Darkrooms and received an honorary fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society. His work sits within many private and public collections including: The Rose Art Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, Autograph, Tate Britain, Arts Council of England, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

J.G. Basdew

J.G. Basdew is a curator, artist, and cultural strategist whose work bridges arts, culture, and community engagement. An emerging voice in the international arts and culture landscape, Basdew draws on his background in business and geopolitics to shape bsdwcorp.—an artistic practice exploring identity, inclusion, intersectionality, and social cohesion. His multidisciplinary work spans performance art, curation, writing, theater-making, and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.

Central to his practice is yazija, a long-duration performance examining gender roles, male vulnerability, and identity’s fluidity. Guided by the belief that creativity can transform society, Basdew amplifies marginalized voices, fosters intergenerational dialogue, and approaches his work through an intersectional lens to challenge norms and inspire empathy.

Alongside his artistic practice, Basdew serves in high-profile advisory roles within leading cultural institutions, advancing equity, diversity, and innovation. His work reimagines the power of art, shaping a bold vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Campbell Addy

British-Ghanaian artist, photographer and director Campbell Addy draws inspiration from his culturally diverse upbringing, this has informed an intricate discovery of the self and a unique eye. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016 Addy’s striking imagery has garnered him international success and awards including the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 list and the British Fashion Awards in both 2018 & 19. His first monograph ‘Feeling Seen - the photographs of Campbell Addy’ debuted in 2022 to critical acclaim.

In 2023 Addy collaborated with 180 Studios to create the major solo exhibition, I ❤ Campbell. Featuring a newly conceived set of images, original paintings and a short film shot on location in Ghana, I ❤ Campbell reflected a personal meditation on the artist's roots and inspirations. Following a year of much artistic growth in 2023 The British Fashion Council awarded Addy the Isabella Blow award for Fashion Creator.

Stephen Isaac-Wilson

Based in London, Stephen has built a strong reputation in the fields of art, fashion, and music videos. His work as a visual artist has been commissioned by and exhibited at institutions such as Tate Britain. With a natural talent for forming creative partnerships, he has collaborated with Neneh Cherry, Isaac Julien, Kaytranada, and Ib Kamara. Stephen’s style combines his background in journalism with a distinct visual approach, resulting in emotive and thought-provoking stories. His work is often driven by themes of race, sexuality, intimacy, and a deep appreciation for the human experience.

Tate Britain's step-free entrance is on Atterbury Street. It has automatic sliding doors and there is a ramp down to the entrance with central handrails.

There is a lift between the Lower and Main floors. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

  • Accessible and standard toilets are located on the Lower floor.
  • A Changing Places toilet is not currently available.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the ticket desk on the Lower floor.

To help plan your visit to Tate Britain, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

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This event has been provided by Tate Gallery on behalf of Tate Enterprises Ltd.

Tate Britain

Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
Plan your visit

Date & Time

25 January 2025 at 10.00–18.00

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