Facing Britain

The exhibition ‘Facing Britain – British Documentary Photography since the 1960s’ is on show at the GAF in Hanover until November 27, 2022.

With the current exhibition ‘Facing Britain’, the GAF in Hanover takes a multi-faceted look at the British Isles and their socio-cultural particularities. In addition to everyday scenes – often marked by charming idiosyncracies – the showcase also addresses politically significant developments and events. The result is a spectacular kaleidoscope of images: Ascot meets Belfast, the Falklands War meets intimate moments in British living rooms, and slick bankers are juxtaposed with struggling workers. Where the boundaries of documentary approaches are blurred, aspects of fine-art and portrait photography come to light.

Curator Ralph Goertz has compiled a study of a diverse nation which – all rifts and divisions notwithstanding – is still characterised by a great deal of humanity, compassion, and humour. At the same time, the showcase chronicles the era from Britain’s initial application to join the EEC in 1963, to its exit from the EU in 2020. While the presentation at the GAF in Hanover only encompasses some 100 works from the eponymous touring exhibition, it still offers a fascinating overview of British documentary photography: Martin Parr, David Hurn, Ken Grant, Barry Lewis, Marketa Luskacova, Peter Mitchell, Kevon O’Farrell and Homer Sykes are among those who have focused their lens on topics such as social injustice, the British class system, racism, youth unemployment, and Brexit.

For further information visit GAF Hannover