Chris Killip, retrospective at Baltic

Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
© Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation

Chris Killip, retrospective at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle Until 3 September 2023 Entrance is free — Book now

This spring, Baltic welcomes a major retrospective by Chris Killip, one of Britain’s most influential and prolific post-war documentary photographers.

Killip was born in 1946 on the Isle of Man and is best known for his striking photographs of the North East of England in the 1970s and 1980s in. The images usually feature people in their everyday surroundings, with both elements playing a significant role in illustrating the circumstances of the local community and pinpointing the atmosphere of the time.

© Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation. Black and white photo depicts two men, one leaning on a car, the other inside with the window open.
© Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation

 

The artist focused on capturing his models in a tender and attentive manner rather than simply as interchangeable subjects. He photographed communities around the country yet it is his work from the North East that continues to capture the hearts of viewers today.

A self described ‘chronicler of the deindustrialisation revolution’, Killip’s purpose was to record the communities he spent time with, not for the purpose of an effective final image but so that their lives would be remembered. He captured seemingly banal, everyday moments at a time of great economic difficulty, often with the backdrops of shipbuilding and coal mining and the photographs became a stark record of the hardships faced by northern communities at the time. Immersing himself in these communities, getting to know the subjects and later sometimes working with the people he photographed, Killip’s dedication was absolute and resulted in some of the most remarkable documentary photographs from the time.

© Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation. Black and white photo depicting young girl playing with a hula hoop in what looks like a wasteland by the sea
© Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation

 

Perhaps it is the parallels we can draw between that 1980s and the increasingly difficult financial situation developing right now that makes these photographs even more powerful to experience 40 years later.

The exhibition is located in Baltic’s ground floor gallery, accompanied by a major monograph co-published with Thames and Hudson. The retrospective is the most comprehensive survey of Killip’s work with over 150 images including colour works and never-before-seen ephemera. As well as being a stunning display of images, it’s a poignant dive right back into the 70s and 80s and the lives of the people Killip recorded.

Chris Killip, retrospective at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle Until 3 September 2023

Book Now

Performances

Date
Time
Session Features
Until 3 September 2023
10:00am — 6:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on: Exhibitions

Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Nothing About Us Without Us at PHM

‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ at PHM explores the history of disabled people’s activism and their ongoing fight for inclusion with a wonderful collection of exhibits brought together for the first time, 

free entry
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
(Un)Defining Queer at The Whitworth

Through a fantastic collection of classical and contemporary artists’ work, ‘(Un)Defining Queer’ examines the use of language, histories and narratives to explore what ‘queer’ really means today. free entry

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

There's no rest for the art lover - this month brings outdoor sculpture, musings on water, political drawings and Liverpool Biennial 2023!

Music

We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House
Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Classical Music

Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.

Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
Literature

Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.

Food and Drink

All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.

Tours and Activities

From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.