Resistance

Turner Contemporary is pleased to announce Resistance, an exhibition conceived by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen and curated in collaboration with Clarrie Wallis. Opening on 22 February 2025, the exhibition will explore how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change. A major new publication, released by 4th Estate, will accompany the exhibition.

Renowned for amplifying underrepresented voices, McQueen contributes a compelling exploration of overlooked histories, shedding light on the forgotten stories of individuals whose actions have helped define Britain’s history.

Presenting a century of activism, Resistance will span from the radical suffrage movement in 1903 to the largest-ever protest in Britain’s history—the Anti-Iraq War Protest in 2003. The exhibition will bring together works by renowned photographers such as Vanley Burke, Henry Grant, Fay Godwin, Edith Tudor-Hart, Tish Murtha, Humphrey Spender, Christine Spengler, Andrew Testa, Paul Trevor and Janine Wiedel, alongside less-known photographers who documented these powerful stories. Drawing photographs from various archives, collections and image libraries, Resistance deliberately focuses on moments captured before digital cameras became commonplace.

The exhibition is the culmination of a four-year research project, guided by exhibition advisors Professor Sundari Anitha, Dr Diane Atkinson, Tony Baldwinson, Justin Bengry, Stella Dadzie, Professor Paul Gilroy, Professor Paul Jackson, Nicholas Jones, Professor Jenny Pickerill, Dr Matthias Reiss, Professor Lisa Tickner and Vron Ware.

Resistance is made possible by the Ampersand Foundation; Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary, was awarded The Ampersand Foundation Award in 2023 to realise Resistance.

Resistance is curated by Steve McQueen and Clarrie Wallis, with Emma Lewis. Political research is by Sarah Harrison. The exhibition is produced by Tessa Pierce, with assistance from Brittany Crombie.

Image: Anti-racists gather to block route of National Front demonstration, New Cross Road, London, August 1977 © Paul Trevor. TC ref: RS112.

Resistance

Saturday 22 February – Sunday 1 June 2025

Opening Hours

Opening Day

Saturday 22 February 2025, 10am - 5pm

Exhibition Opening Hours

Winter Opening Hours

Sunday 23 February - Sunday 6 April 2025

Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am - 5pm, plus bank holidays

Summer Opening Hours

Monday 7 April 2025 - Sunday 1 June 2025 

Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am - 5pm, plus bank holidays