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Dennis Morris retrospective at The Photographers' Gallery explores music, identity and Black British experience

exhibition · 2026-04-19

'Music + Life,' a retrospective exhibition by British-Jamaican photographer Dennis Morris, is currently on display at The Photographers' Gallery in London until 28 September 2025. This showcase, which spans more than 40 years, highlights Morris's documentary and portrait photography, notably his connection with Bob Marley, which began with a chance meeting when he was just 14. The exhibition includes portraits of reggae legends such as Lee 'Scratch' Perry and punk figures like John Lydon, alongside series that reflect multicultural Britain during the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, it features Morris's design contributions, including the artwork for Public Image Ltd's 'Metal Box.' The thematic arrangement places his work in dialogue with artists like Ming Smith and Jamel Shabazz, focusing on themes of cultural authenticity and preservation.

Key facts

  • Dennis Morris retrospective 'Music + Life' runs until 28 September 2025 at The Photographers' Gallery in London
  • Exhibition spans over four decades of Morris's work, including portraits of Bob Marley, reggae pioneers, and punk icons
  • Morris first met Bob Marley at age 14, leading to a lifelong creative collaboration
  • Show features lesser-known series documenting multicultural Britain in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Includes Morris's design work such as Public Image Ltd's 'Metal Box' album artwork
  • Exhibition is organized thematically rather than chronologically
  • The Photographers' Gallery concurrently presents works by Felicity Hammond and Alma Haser
  • Morris's work is compared to artists Ming Smith, Jamel Shabazz, and Liz Johnson Artur

Entities

Artists

  • Dennis Morris
  • Bob Marley
  • Lee 'Scratch' Perry
  • The Abyssinians
  • John Lydon
  • The Slits
  • Peter Mitchell
  • Felicity Hammond
  • Alma Haser
  • Ming Smith
  • Jamel Shabazz
  • Liz Johnson Artur
  • Sid Vicious
  • Shirley Stevenson

Institutions

  • The Photographers' Gallery
  • Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation
  • Public Image Ltd
  • Aesthetica Magazine

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Southall
  • Hackney
  • Leeds
  • Brooklyn
  • Jamaica
  • South London
  • Trenchtown

Sources