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British Culture Archive Presents: The People's City

Manchester and Liverpool during the 1980s-90s.

"Britain is a cultural melting pot influenced by other nations. We look back at everyday life, growing up in our towns and communities. The music, fashion, politics, and passions that defined and united us through good and bad times."

- Paul Wright (British Culture Archive).

The People’s City exhibition is BCA’s touring exhibition celebrating life in the North West of England during the 1980s and 1990s. The exhibition features selected works from our featured photographers below:

Peter J Walsh

During his time at Manchester’s City Life Magazine in the late 1980s, photographer Peter J. Walsh was in the right place at the right time. He became immersed in Manchester’s revolutionary Acid House club and rave scene, documenting many hedonistic nights at The Haçienda.

Peter captured the early years of the UK’s Acid House explosion and documented the many faces and colourful fashions that graced The Hacienda’s dancefloor as the city became a cultural mecca and global exporter of music and fashion.

Temperance club night at the Hacienda, 1990s.
Temperance Club at The Haçienda, 1990.

Photo © Peter J Walsh, all rights reserved.

Rob Bremner

Rob Bremner is a social and documentary photographer from Britain who was born in Wick, Scotland.

Rob left Scotland to study in Wallasey, where he got to know celebrated photographers Tom Wood and Martin Parr. While in college, Tom taught, and Rob assisted him in the darkroom. During weekends, he would follow Tom and Martin around the faded resort of New Brighton as they documented the area. Later, Rob was accepted into David Hurn’s School of Documentary Photography in Newport. It was around this time that he started to take photos of the Everton and Vauxhall areas of Liverpool, which were at that time the third most deprived areas in Britain with the highest rate of arson in Europe.

Bremner’s photos depict the mood of those times, as well as everyday life, friendly faces, and local personalities who were proud of their city and communities.

Johnny and Pat, Vauxhall, 1987.
Johnny and Pat. Vauxhall, Liverpool, 1987.

Photo © Rob Bremner, all rights reserved.

Exhibition Dates

 The Refuge, Manchester | January, 2020 – January, 2021.

Manchester Central Library | January – March, 2022

"Poster of the British Culture Archive Exhibition, showcasing an iconic photograph by Rob Bremner, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Britain. This image serves as a visual representation of British history and creativity, attracting art enthusiasts and culture lovers alike."
The People's City Exhibition Poster.
"Paul Wright, founder of the British Culture Archive, stands alongside DJ Luke Unabomber, highlighting their contributions to music and culture in the UK."
DJ Luke Una and BCA Founder Paul Wright.
British Culture Archive Tom Oxley and Paul Wright
The People's City Launch, 2020.
The People's City Launch Party, 2020.
The People's City Launch, 2020.

For all Press and Media enquiries: contact@britishculturearchive.co.uk