As we approach the Tate’s highly anticipated exhibition, The 80s: Photographing Britain, we invite you to explore the works of two of the decade’s most important photographers: Anna Fox and Paul Reas.
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This online exhibition offers an insight into 1980s British society, showcasing Fox’s Work Stations and Reas’s I Can Help and Flogging a Dead Horse.
Anna Fox’s seminal early series Work Stations presents a vibrant and incisive commentary on London office life during the late 1980s. Through striking colour photographs paired with sharp text captions, Fox captures the frenetic energy and competitive nature of Thatcher's Britain. Her work not only documents the daily realities of the corporate environment but also invites reflection on the broader societal implications of work culture at that time. Fox’s unique interplay of image and text enhances the viewer's understanding of how personal identity and professional ambition intertwined in an era marked by economic transformation.
In contrast, Paul Reas’s photography unveils the underlying tensions of consumerism and social disparity through his provocative series, Flogging a Dead Horse and I Can Help. These works examine the often-contradictory messages of hope and despair in the midst of a rapidly changing landscape. Reas’s keen eye for irony and satire challenges viewers to confront the superficial gloss of the 80s, revealing the complexities of aspiration and reality that define the decade.
Together, Fox and Reas create a compelling dialogue that captures the essence of 1980s Britain—its vibrancy, contradictions, and the nuanced interplay between individual and society. This exhibition not only complements the Tate’s broader exploration of the decade but also stands as a critical reflection on the enduring themes of work, identity, and social change.
This is an online exhibition, please contact us to view works. All works are for sale and are offered subject to availability and price revision.
Please enquire for different edition sizes.
Sales enquiries:
Becky Martin
becky@britishphotography.org