The 1990s was a transformative decade in Britain, a period that bridged the analogue past and the digital future. It was the last era before mobile phones and the internet reshaped the way we lived, communicated and experienced culture.

Politically, it was marked by a turning point: the end of 18 years of Conservative government and the arrival of New Labour in 1997, ushering in a renewed sense of optimism and national identity. This energy was mirrored in the cultural landscape, where music, film, fashion and the visual arts came to define Britain on the world stage.

The decade carried forward the energy of rave and dance culture, while Britpop and a resurgent guitar scene dominated the airwaves. British cinema gained new prominence with films such as Trainspotting and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, while the Young British Artists challenged convention and redefined contemporary art.

Often framed as the era of ‘Cool Britannia’, the 1990s reflected both a celebration of creativity and the tensions of a rapidly changing society. This exhibition explores the everyday and the iconic through photography, offering a portrait of Britain on the cusp of a new millennium.