How protest shaped Britain and photography shaped protest

Turner Contemporary is pleased to announce Resistance, an exhibition conceived by Steve McQueen and curated in collaboration with Clarrie Wallis. Opening on 22 February 2025, the exhibition will explore how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change. A major new publication, released by 4th Estate, will accompany the exhibition.

Renowned for amplifying underrepresented voices, McQueen contributes a compelling exploration of overlooked histories, shedding light on the forgotten stories of individuals whose actions have helped define Britain’s history.

Presenting a century of activism, Resistance will span from the radical suffrage movement in 1903 to the largest-ever protest in Britain’s history—the Anti-Iraq War Protest in 2003. The exhibition will bring together works by renowned photographers such as Vanley Burke, Henry Grant, Fay Godwin, Edith Tudor-Hart, Tish Murtha, Humphrey Spender, Christine Spengler, Andrew Testa, Paul Trevor and Janine Wiedel, alongside less-known photographers who documented these powerful stories. Drawing photographs from various archives, collections and image libraries, Resistance deliberately focuses on moments captured before digital cameras became commonplace.

The exhibition will highlight lesser-known events including the Blind March of 1920—a pivotal moment in the fight for disability rights, and the hunger marches of the 1930s—protesting unemployment and poverty. It will explore the intersections between movements such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Women’s Liberation Movement, where protests against Section 28 of the Local Government Act brought the LGBTQ+ community together. Connecting historic struggles, the exhibition will also examine the fight against fascism in the 1930s and 1940s, including the Battle of Cable Street, while drawing parallels with the Battle of Lewisham in 1977.

Resistance will underscore the ongoing struggle against racism, showing how grassroots movements have consistently confronted oppression throughout history. A pivotal moment was the Black People’s Day of Action on 2 March 1981, following the house fire at 439 New Cross Road that claimed 13 lives. The photographs that captured the protest powerfully depict this landmark for Britain’s Black civil rights movement. Paul Trevor’s series on the Bengali community in the East End will further illustrate how the emerging concept of community photography became a form of activism, amplifying the voices of marginalised groups.

Visitors will encounter poignant images from demonstrations against environmental destruction, anti-nuclear campaigns and actions advocating for peace. The exhibition will trace the evolution of environmental movements, as well as highlight a shift from single-issue demonstrations to broader anti-capitalist efforts, that paved the way for today’s climate change action. From Janine Wiedel’s photographs capturing life at Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp to Andrew Testa’s striking depictions of the 1996 protests against the proposed A30 Honiton Bypass, Resistance will serve as a testament to the empowering impact of collective action.

Steve McQueen said, “This exhibition and book explores how people have challenged the status quo—a mission that feels especially urgent in today’s political climate.”

The exhibition is the culmination of a four-year research project, guided by exhibition advisors Professor Sundari Anitha, Dr Diane Atkinson, Tony Baldwinson, Justin Bengry, Stella Dadzie, Professor Paul Gilroy, Professor Paul Jackson, Nicholas Jones, Professor Jenny Pickerill, Dr Matthias Reiss, Professor Lisa Tickner and Vron Ware.

Resistance is made possible by the Ampersand Foundation; Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary, was awarded The Ampersand Foundation Award in 2023 to realise Resistance.

Clarrie Wallis said, “The Ampersand Foundation Award provides vital support for curators to realise ambitious exhibitions amid arts funding scarcity. The award enabled Turner Contemporary to mount a groundbreaking exhibition in Margate, Resistance, with artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen. This photography exhibition reframes conventional narratives of British history, prompting viewers to reconsider our shared past.”

Resistance is curated by Steve McQueen and Clarrie Wallis, with Emma Lewis. Political research is by Sarah Harrison. The exhibition is produced by Tessa Pierce, with assistance from Brittany Crombie.

Resistance will also be a major publication, compiled by Steve McQueen and edited by Clarrie Wallis with Sarah Harrison, to be released by 4th Estate on 13 February 2025. The book presents a rich collection of photographs from the exhibition, ranging from covert surveillance shots to iconic press images, along with firsthand accounts from witnesses of these pivotal historical moments. Expert analysis further examines the relevance of these stories today, featuring contributions from influential voices such as Gary Younge, Steve McQueen, Paul Gilroy, and Baroness Chakrabarti.