Chris Killip, retrospective at The Photographers Gallery, London

Sea coaler in Lynemouth, Northumberland, by Chris Killip

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting the quite amazing exhibition of Chris Killip at The Photographers Gallery in London and honestly it was one of the most inspiring exhibitions I’ve seen in a while. The exhibition, titled “Retrospective”, focuses on Killip’s work in the North of England during an economically challenging period of the 70s and 80s of the XXth century.

Mrs Chrissie Pitts, ‘Plevna’, Glenafaba, 1971

“His sustained immersion into the communities he photographed remains without parallel. Whilst marking a moment of deindustrialisation, Killip's stark yet tender observation moves beyond the urgency to record such circumstances, to affirm the value of lives he grew close to - lives that, as he once described 'had history done to them', who felt history's malicious disregard and yet, like the photographer himself, refused to yield or look away. “ - The Photographers Gallery

What really pulled me into this body of work was Chris’s devotion to it, he wanted to be a part of it, he not only wanted to document it, but understand the people so that he could really highlight their life and stories. Best example of that would be the fact that at the beginning he was considered a stranger, people did not trust him and his camera and he was asked to leave everywhere he went. Despite this he just kept on showing up, trying to help people, trying to show them that he’s there because he’s interested. This ended with him buying a camper van and staying there for a long time, more than a year. Now that’s dedication!

Chris’s work is truly stunning, even more so when you start reading about his dedication to it, to the people and to the document as an idea in itself. The exhibition, containing some never-before-seen work as well, spans across two floors and is an absolute treat! Highly recommend, but be quick as it closes on the 19th of February 2023.

Happy New Year! Hope you’ve enjoyed this read.

Simon

Woman with curly hair, North Shields, 1986