Roshini Kempadoo is contributing a selection from two photographic series to the show ‘The 80s: Photographing Britain’ which explores powerful photography in a decade of social and political change.

Her contribution is a selection of montage photographs from the series ECU: European Currency Unfolds originally commissioned for the show ‘Shifting Borders’ at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle. These were subsequently included in the touring show ‘Metamorphoses – photography in an Electronic Age’ curated by Aperture Foundation, USA. 

A selection of black and white photo compositions from Impressions Passing will also be included. These were originally created for the show ‘Who Do You Take Me For?’, curated by the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia. 

Set against the backdrop of race uprisings, the miner strikes, section 28, the AIDS pandemic and gentrification, the photographs embed stories of protest and change.

At the time, photography was used as a tool for social change, political activism, and artistic and photographic experiments. This exhibition examines how photography collectives and publications highlighted these often-unseen stories, featured in innovative photography journals such as Ten 8 and Cameraworks. It will also look at the development of Autograph ABP, Half Moon Photography Workshop, and Hackney Flashers.

Find out more on the Tate website.