After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989- 2024

Joanne Coates, Poppy, Scottish Borders, Daughters of the Soil, 2020, © Joanne Coates

Cardiff is about to get a look at working-class life through photography with After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989–2024, running 3 October to 13 December at Ffotogallery. The exhibition opened with a public preview on Thursday 2 October, welcoming visitors to get a first look at the collection.

Curated by photographer, author, and broadcaster Johny Pitts, the exhibition brings together working-class artists who capture everyday life with honesty and heart. Their photos focus on communities close to home as well as wider British society, showing both struggles and joys that often go unnoticed.

The exhibition features works like Rene Matic’s portraits of growing up mixed-race in Peterborough, Elaine Constantine’s vibrant look at the Northern Soul scene, Kavi Pujara’s celebration of Leicester’s Hindu community, and J A Mortram’s lifelong documentation of marginalised people while working as a caregiver. Each series tells a story, offering a personal and intimate glimpse into life in modern Britain.

Northern_Soul_Colour 001

Elaine Constantine, Smithers at The 100 Club, 1993–96, Courtesy the artist.

Rob Clayton, Lin, Careers Advisor and Mother, Wilson House, 1990-91 © Rob Clayton

Sam Blackwood, Rat Palace, 2013 – ongoing, Courtesy the artist.

Richard Billingham, Untitled,1993, Courtesy the artist.

Serena Brown, Clayponds, 2018, Courtesy the artist.

Joanne Coates, Poppy, Scottish Borders, Daughters of the Soil, 2020, © Joanne Coates

Artúr Čonka, Roma of Newport, 2023, Courtesy the artist

The exhibition’s title is a nod to history: 2024 marks 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the “End of History” idea from Francis Fukuyama, which suggested Western liberal democracy had won as the ultimate political system. But what happened to working-class culture in the years that followed? How have artists captured life in the decades since? After the End of History explores these questions, showing the creativity, resilience, and everyday realities of working-class communities from 1989 to today.

Siân Addicott, Director of Ffotogallery, says:
“We’re proud to host After the End of History. It highlights voices that are often overlooked and shows how photography can help us see the world from different perspectives. Conversations about class are still so important, and this exhibition gives space to stories that need to be seen.”

Artists featured include Richard Billingham, Sam Blackwood, Serena Brown, Antony Cairns, Rob Clayton, Joanne Coates, Josh Cole, Artúr Conka, Elaine Constantine, Natasha Edgington, Richard Grassick, Anna Magnowska, Rene Matic, J A Mortram, Kelly O’Brien, Eddie Otchere, Kavi Pujara, Khadija Saye, Chris Shaw, Trevor Smith, Ewen Spencer, Hannah Starkey, Igoris Taran, Nathaniel Telemaque, Barbara Wasiak, and Tom Wood—their works together create a vivid, diverse, and deeply human picture of British working-class life over the past 35 years.

After the End of History is a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition supported at Ffotogallery by The Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity. It’s an opportunity to connect with real stories and experiences through the eyes of people who live them.

Eddie Otchere, Goldie: Metalheadz at the Blue Note in Hoxton Square in 1995. Courtesy the artist.

J A Mortram, Small Town Inertia. Courtesy the artist.

Anna Magnowska, Beautiful Very Good Curvy Brunette, 2019, Courtesy the artist.

Richard Grassick, The Milner’s family kitchen. As they run a bed and breakfast business as well as the farm, the kitchen is as important a workplace as the fields. East Mellwaters, near Bowes. Teesdale, 1994, 1994, © Richard Grassick courtesy of the AmberSide Collection.

Sandra George, Shakti — International Women’s Day, 1989, courtesy the artist’s estate and Craigmillar Now.

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See more images from the Exhibition

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo

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