Hulme, Manchester, 1980s: Photographs by Adam T Burton

Adam T. Burton documented life while living on John Nash Crescent in Hulme, Manchester, from 1984-1987. His photographs provide valuable insight into the social and cultural dynamics of this time, preserving the history of Hulme during that period.

Viraj Mendis

The mid-1980s were a time of high political activity. The UK miners’ strike was in full swing, anti-racism and gay rights marches were happening, and Manchester’s activist population was making their voices heard. When Viraj Mendis, a Sri Lankan national based in Manchester, was threatened with deportation, Adam became involved in a number of marches and became the photographer for Mendis’ defence campaign.

Many Mancunians and people in the area at the time will remember the graffiti that read “Free Viraj Mendis” and “Viraj Mendis is our friend”, which were daubed across the walls and walkway bridges in Hulme and inner city Manchester.

Muggings

The crescents were a hotbed for crime and a haven for muggers. Students from the nearby Poly and Universities were often warned not to venture into the neighbouring suburb. Posters warning against ‘giro mugging’ were stuck up around the stairwells and walls whilst the flats were plagued with damp and numerous health and safety issues.

Street Fight

On Adam’s first morning in his flat, he witnessed two women having a street fight from his window. He recalls, “I heard some shouting at the back of my flat and looked out of my window. I took about four or five shots. I think the fight was over a man as I heard ‘Stay away from my man’ a few times. The image of the little girl watching is heartbreaking. It’s a sad scene, but only a fraction of a second in their story. It’s not the kind of photography I am comfortable with, but I think it’s important now in this historical and geographical context.”

In It Together

“It is in no way a definitive guide to Hulme and the crescents during this period. These photographs are merely a record of my experiences while living there. I was in a privileged position to decide to live there and was fortunate enough to be able to leave when I wanted to. Although so much in the book is drab and cold, depressing, and sometimes without hope, there was a great sense that we were all in it together. For anyone in Hulme at this time, there will be familiar and maybe forgotten things, and for those who were not, I hope it proves an interesting record of that time and place.”

ADAM T. BURTON FULL HULME GALLERY AT BCA

Published
April 18, 2019