Paying homage to one of Britain’s leading photographers of protest, a new exhibition showcasing David Hoffman’s work, titled Endurance & Joy in the East End, has been curated by The Gentle Author and will open at the Museum of the Home in Hoxton this October. The exhibition coincides with the publication of David Hoffman’s monograph by Spitalfields Life Books, Endurance & Joy in the East End 1971–1987.
In 1973, when David Hoffman was a young photographer, he went to live in a squat in Fieldgate Mansions and it changed his life. Over the next decade, he documented homelessness, racism and the rise of protest in startlingly intimate and compassionate pictures to compose a vital photographic testimony of resilience. Thanks to the courage and determination of the squatters who stopped the demolition, Fieldgate Mansions still stands to provide invaluable housing to families in Whitechapel today.
Committed to telling the stories and human history of the East End, The Gentle Author has been writing a daily blog about the culture of London for the past fifteen years, bringing to life the rich tapestry of voices and diverse characters who have inhabited the area. Inspired by the way in which David Hoffman’s superlative photography speaks vividly to our own times, The Gentle Author has curated an exhibition of his breathtaking photography of Whitechapel in the 1970s, to reveal how much the world has changed in the past half century, yet not changed enough.
The Gentle Author comments, 'Characterised by a brilliant aesthetic flair, David Hoffman's reportage photography of Whitechapel in the 70s speaks across half a century as compelling evidence of a community that came together to face the challenge of racism and a housing crisis.'
Danielle Patten, Director of Creative Programmes and Collections at the Museum of the Home says, 'We are honoured to host this exhibition and celebrate David Hoffman's work as a powerful storyteller of resilience and solidarity. This exhibition not only highlights his extraordinary contribution to photography but also invites all to engage in important conversations about social justice and community resilience'.
Staged as a collaboration between the Museum of the Home and Spitalfields Life, a crowdfunding campaign saw £10,000 raised to produce the exhibition in the summer of 2024. The resulting project will be hosted by the Museum of the Home for six months from October 2024 until March 2025, accompanied by a programme of events exploring themes of homelessness, racism and protest.
Endurance & Joy in the East End 1971-1987, The Photography of David Hoffman
October 2024 - March 2025
Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
Image: Fieldgate Mansions, Whitechapel, 1978 by David Hoffman
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