Baltic Centre Exhibition Showcases Tish Murtha's Working-Class Photography with Contemporary Response

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is presenting 'Close to Home,' an exhibition featuring the work of photographer Tish Murtha alongside newly commissioned pieces by contemporary artist Kuba Ryniewicz. Murtha, who lived from 1956 to 2013, documented marginalized communities in Newcastle and the broader North East region throughout the late 20th century. Her photography captures the social consequences of industrial decline with empathy and urgency, focusing on working-class experiences. The exhibition includes four of her major series: 'Elswick Kids' (1978), 'Elswick Revisited' (1987-91), 'Save Scotswood Works' (1979), and 'Youth Unemployment' (1981). These works portray children's lives amid economic hardship, community changes including growing diversity, resistance to factory closures, and the impact of joblessness on young people. Murtha's daughter, Ella Murtha, collaborated on the show, helping preserve her mother's legacy. The photographer faced marginalization from the arts establishment and financial struggles later in life, but her work has gained renewed recognition through her daughter's efforts, a 2023 documentary titled 'Tish,' and use of her images on musician Sam Fender's Mercury Prize-winning album 'People Watching.' Kuba Ryniewicz, a Newcastle-based artist, contributes a body of work created specifically for this exhibition, drawing from his photographic archive and ongoing exploration of portraiture and community. His approach blends fashion photography with regional histories and personal narratives, emphasizing intimacy and character. Ryniewicz worked with local communities to capture contemporary perspectives on joy, resilience, and daily life in the North East, creating a dialogue with Murtha's historical documentation. The exhibition runs from July 4 at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, highlighting how both artists address themes often overlooked in national discourse, revealing the enduring social fabric of the region through ordinary moments of friendship, play, and creativity.