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Exhibition curated by Oscar-winning director opens

Stuart Maisner
BBC News, South East•@smaisner
EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock A close up image of Sir Steve McQueen wearing a dark jacket and white shirtEPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Sir Steve McQueen won the Oscar for Best Picture directing 12 Years a Slave in 2014

A photography exhibition conceived by an Oscar-winning director on the theme of protest is set to open in a Kent seaside town.

Resistance, which is co-curated by Sir Steve McQueen, opens its doors at Turner Contemporary in Margate on Saturday.

The exhibition explores Britain's history of protest and its relationship with photography, a gallery spokesperson said.

The film director and artist said the display "explores how people have challenged the status quo".

Alamy A black and white image of an anti-fascist demonstrator being taken away under arrest by police after a mounted baton charge during the Battle of Cable Street, London, 4 October 1936 Alamy
An anti-fascist demonstrator is taken away during the Battle of Cable Street in 1936

He said that protest was "especially urgent in today's political climate".

Sir Steve McQueen won the Academy Award for Best Picture directing the historical drama 12 Years a Slave in 2014.

He has also directed contemporary crime thriller Widows and the World War II drama Blitz.

The exhibition is the culmination of a four-year research project.

Paul Trevor Black and white image of anti-racists gathering to block route of National Front demonstration, New Cross Road, London, August 1977Paul Trevor
Protesters gather to block route of a National Front demonstration in London in 1977

A gallery spokesperson said: "From the suffragettes marching through London's streets to the mass protest against the Iraq War, photographers have witnessed a century of British resistance.

"This landmark exhibition will chronicle how ordinary people fought for change between 1903 and 2003."

Featuring the work of renowned photographers and unknown documentarians, the exhibition will reveal "pivotal moments that shaped modern Britain" from the suffragettes to the Women of Greenham Common and from the Battle of Cable Street to the Black People's Day of Action following the New Cross Fire.

Resistance will be at Turner Contemporary until 1 June.

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