Tish Murtha's Unflinching Eye Returns to the North East
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is currently hosting two compelling photography exhibitions that, while distinct in subject and era, share a deep commitment to documenting the realities of marginalized communities. Tish Murtha's retrospective, drawn from her archive of black-and-white images capturing the stark social conditions of 1970s and 80s working-class Britain, sits alongside Kuba Ryniewicz's contemporary series exploring Polish migrant identity in the UK. The pairing offers a poignant dialogue between past and present struggles.
Murtha's Legacy of Social Documentary
Murtha, who died in 2013 at the age of 56, is best known for her intimate portraits of life in the deindustrialized North East of England. Her work, often shot in her native Newcastle and surrounding areas, documents the impact of unemployment, poverty, and urban decay with a raw, empathetic gaze. The exhibition, titled "Tish Murtha: A Life in Photography," features over 100 prints, many previously unseen, including her celebrated series "Juvenile Liaison Bureaus" (1976-77) and "The Miners' Strike" (1984-85). According to the Baltic's curator, the show aims to "reassert Murtha's place in the canon of British documentary photography, alongside figures like Don McCullin and Martin Parr."
Kuba Ryniewicz's Polish Perspectives
In contrast, Kuba Ryniewicz's "Newcastle, New Home" explores the experiences of Polish migrants who settled in the North East after Poland joined the European Union in 2004. Ryniewicz, himself a Polish-born photographer based in the UK, spent three years documenting the lives of his subjects, capturing moments of domesticity, work, and celebration. The series includes portraits of families in their homes, workers in factories and shops, and community events such as Polish Christmas dinners. The photographs are characterized by a warm, naturalistic style that emphasizes the ordinariness of their lives, countering often-negative media portrayals of immigration.
A Dialogue Across Generations
The juxtaposition of these two exhibitions creates a powerful conversation about displacement, resilience, and community. Murtha's subjects, often trapped by economic forces beyond their control, share a common ground with Ryniewicz's migrants, who left their homeland seeking opportunity. Both photographers eschew sensationalism in favor of a quiet, dignified observation. As the Baltic's exhibition notes state, "both bodies of work demonstrate how photography can give voice to those on the margins, whether in the shadow of Thatcherism or the challenges of integration."
Exhibition Details and Visitor Information
"Tish Murtha: A Life in Photography" and "Kuba Ryniewicz: Newcastle, New Home" run concurrently at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, until September 20, 2026. Admission is free. The Baltic is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. For more information, including guided tours and educational programs, visit the Baltic's website.
