Iconic photographs shine light on Rock Against Racism in new exhibition

Iconic photographs shine light on Rock Against Racism in new exhibition

21 September 2023

The artworks, by photographer Syd Shelton, tell the story of the Rock Against Racism movement, which was formed by musicians and activists in the late 1970s and early 1980s to confront racism through music. 
 
Leaders of the ground-breaking movement would organise live music events, featuring reggae and punk bands of the time. Artists including The Clash and Misty in Roots performed at the iconic gigs in protest against the National Front and institutionalised racism across the country.
 

“I hope the exhibition shows that you can change things and you can actually make a stand - even in the most difficult of situations.”

Syd Shelton, Photographer

Shelton's iconic photographs are currently on display at Charing Cross Hospital, and will also be exhibited at Hammersmith Hospital and St Mary's Hospital over the next year.

It's the latest in our Art in Focus exhibition series, which brings thought-provoking works of art into our hospitals for patients, visitors and NHS staff to enjoy.

"I hope the exhibition shows that you can change things and you can actually make a stand," Shelton said. "Even in the most difficult of situations." 

The photographs offer a unique insight into the history of the Rock Against Racism movement, shining a light on events such as the anti-National Front demonstration in Lewisham, south London, in 1977.

Some of the works also reveal powerful images from the Rock Against Racism carnival at Victoria Park in 1978, which was attended by 100,000 people.

Delphine Allier, our Curator, worked with Shelton to bring the exhibition to life.

"This has been a really exciting project," she said. "We're looking forward to hearing about the impact these powerful photographs have on patients, visitors and staff across our hospitals."

You can read more about the Rock Against Racism exhibition here.

This display of Rock Against Racism is a collaboration between Imperial Health Charity and
Autograph, London. Established in 1988, Autograph’s mission is to champion the work of
artists who use photography and film to highlight questions of race, representation, human
rights and social justice.