A Century of Resistance: The Faces Behind Social Movements exhibition at Turner Contemporary sparks thoughts of today’s injustices, showcasing bravery and protest through 200 photographs.
The bravery depicted in ‘‘Resistance’‘ exhibition is impossible to ignore, sparking thoughts of the injustices of today.
From Suffragettes to Anti-Racists: A Century of Protest
The Women’s Social and Political Union, also known as the Suffragettes, founded in 1903, marked the beginning of a century-long journey of protest in Britain. The exhibition documents this history, drawing from public and private archives, featuring 200 photographs that line the walls of Margate’s Turner Contemporary.
The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia.
The WSPU aimed to secure women's suffrage through non-violent civil disobedience.
Key principles included equal pay, education, and property rights for women.
The organization focused on direct action, such as marches, protests, and hunger strikes.
By 1914, the WSPU had gained significant attention and support, but also faced opposition from authorities.
Women like 'Emmeline Pankhurst ' and her daughters became symbols of resistance against patriarchal norms.
Photography as Protest: A Complicated Relationship
The camera is never neutral, argues art historian John Tagg, and ‘‘Resistance’‘ proves this true. The exhibition presents dissent through different lenses, including professional photojournalism and ’embedded photography,’ but also complicates the relationship between protest and photography by including police surveillance photographs from the Criminal Record Office.
Forgotten Campaigns and Personal Stories
The exhibition highlights largely forgotten campaigns, such as the ‘Blind March of 1920’ , which led to the ‘Blind Persons Act of 1920’ . It also shares personal stories, like ‘Brian Haw’s solo campaign against British foreign policy’, which contrasts with the mass mobilization against the Iraq war.
Brian Haw was a British peace activist who gained international attention for his anti-war protests outside the Houses of Parliament in London.
From June 2001 to June 2007, he camped on the pavement, displaying banners and holding vigils.
His activism focused on Iraq War-related issues, including the use of depleted uranium and civilian casualties.
Haw's protest was initially tolerated by authorities but eventually led to a court case, which Brian Haw won in 2006.
He continued his campaign until being forcibly removed from the site in June 2007.
Joy in Resistance: Celebrating Defiance
Despite the horrors protesters faced, many images convey joy and defiance. A couple dances at the first Caribbean Carnival in 1959, organized in response to racist violence. Two men share a tender kiss at a public demo, highlighting the power of celebration as an act of resistance.
The Need for Resistance Today
The most recent photographs, portraying protests against the Iraq war, are particularly moving. They juxtapose mass mobilization with individual acts of resistance, emphasizing that a singular act can be just as powerful as a crowd. As the state cracks down on peaceful protest in Britain, ‘‘Resistance’‘ serves as a reminder that change only happens through resistance.
A Call to Action
The exhibition is an ode to the heroes of the past but also a provocation for the struggles of today. As governments increase police powers to interpret what’s considered a threat to public order, it’s more crucial than ever to stand up for civil liberties and peaceful protest. ‘‘Resistance’‘ will be on display at Turner Contemporary until June 1, 2025, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of resistance in shaping our world.
Contextualizing the Past
The inclusion of two photographs of far-right icon ‘Oswald Mosley‘ is not meant to symbolize the exhibition’s own kind of resistance but rather to provide context for what campaigners were fighting against at the time. His presence is jarring, but it serves as a reminder that resistance comes in many forms.
Oswald Mosley was a British politician born in 1896.
He served as the Member of Parliament for Harrow from 1918 to 1924, and later founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932.
Mosley's ideology combined elements of fascism and socialism, with a focus on national unity and economic reform.
He was arrested in 1940 under the Public Order Act and remained imprisoned until 1943.
After World War II, Mosley continued to advocate for his policies, but his movement lost popularity due to its association with Nazi Germany.
Conclusion
‘‘Resistance’‘ is more than just an exhibition – it’s a call to action. By showcasing the faces behind social movements and highlighting the power of photography, the show encourages us to think about our own role in shaping the world around us.
