Pride in Motion
In 1987, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stood at the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool and delivered an infamous speech that ushered in Section 28, a piece of largely hidden legislation forcing LGBT+ people nationwide into a place of secrecy and shame.
This exhibition attempts to reverse that narrative through a series of striking queer portraits – a direct response to Thatcher’s attempt to erase LGBT+ identities.
The photographs themselves are deeply personal and collaborative. The people, all members of Blackpool’s vibrant LGBT+ community, selected locations across the town and designed their own iconic looks, movements and creative style to express their individuality and personality, transforming Blackpool into a canvas for their stories.
From iconic landmarks to hidden alleyways, every photograph is a reclamation of space, reclaiming the very place once overshadowed by Thatcher’s words into bold statements of pride.
By linking past struggles to present celebrations, the exhibition offers a powerful statement – a symbolic march away from the constraints of the past and towards a brighter, freer future.
Dates
Wed 21 May 2025 - Sat 2 Aug 2025
Space
Gallery
Duration
TBC
The photographer
David Severn is a Documentary & Portrait Photographer whose work deals with themes such as the effects of deindustrialisation, working class culture and social life within British post-industrial communities. David’s photography has been exhibited internationally and published in The New York Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Times Magazine. He has won numerous awards including Magnum Photos 30 Under 30, Magenta Flash Forward and Renaissance Photography Prize.
Pride in Motion
Pride in Motion (2024 - 2025) is a 2 year multi-layered artistic exchange project in collaboration with Gary Clarke Company, Blackpool Grand Theatre and 10 members of Blackpool’s LGBT+ community. Through a series of LGBT+ focused creative workshops including research, writing, dance, photography, performance and discussions, Pride in Motion offers a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the making of GARY CLARKE COMPANY’S new touring production DETENTION exploring Section 28 and the impact on LGBT+ communities.