After The End Of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024 at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum | EXHIBISH

After The End Of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

A reflection on working class identity over the past three decades

Content

A touring display from the Hayward Gallery brings focus to the nuances and diversity of working class life in Britain.

In its own words the exhibition questions the fate of working class culture post the 'End of History’ (defined as the fall of the Berlin Wall, signifying the end of Communism and the rise of Western Liberal Democracy). The selection of works aim to explore identity, creativity and the imagery produced by the working class over the past three decades.

I don't know if the gallery as a whole fully reaches the scope it aims for, lacking a through-line to bring home a complete narrative. But as a theme it comes together well and a variety of perspectives and mediums offer thought provoking and visually compelling displays.

Presentation

The works are displayed around the gallery with understated presentation to give focus to the pieces with plenty of space to contemplate. Information is given with context about the work and a commentary too explain why it was chosen.

The only negative is the choice of computer-style font that makes the information more difficult to parse than it could be.