Photography exhibition to take us On the Beach

An exhibition of newly discovered images by social documentary photographer Shirley Baker will take place this summer at the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool.

The exhibition titled ‘On the Beach’ takes a look at holidaymakers from Blackpool, one of the most popular and historic English resorts, and juxtaposes these with images from the continental Mediterranean resort of the Côte d’Azur.

The two collections of observational photographs, taken five years apart in the 1970’s, reflect upon the two different seaside settings and explore the cultural backdrop and contrasting behaviours of holidaymakers.

The exhibition takes place at the gallery from Saturday May 20 – August 19 2017.

Shirley Baker, born in Salford and studied Pure Photography at the Manchester College of Technology, was a pioneering post-war photographer, whose humanist documentary work focused on communities, social behaviour and post-war urban regeneration.

Her observational photography spanned a 65-year career. However, the majority of the thousands of images she took would largely go unseen or exhibited during her lifetime.

Alan Cavill, Blackpool Council’s Director with responsibility for Arts, said: “I am sure that these fascinating photographs will be enjoyed by both Blackpool residents and visitors to the town.

“The quality of the exhibition is testimony to the Grundy’s growing national and international profile as a leading contemporary art gallery in the North West.”

The Grundy Art Gallery was founded in 1911 by the brothers John and Cuthbert Grundy. The Grundy aims to inspire audiences through an ambitious and varied year-round exhibitions programme that draws on the unique and invigorating context and heritage of Blackpool, exploring the space between contemporary art, entertainment and popular culture.

‘Shirley Baker: On the Beach’ runs concurrently with the exhibition ‘Shirley Baker: Women and Children; and Loitering Men’ at Manchester Art Gallery from May 19 – August 28.

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