Mark Pinder. Macromancy – Britain and the North East of England 1986-2022.

About

Mark Pinder (b. 1966, Cumbria) is a documentary and editorial photographer based in the North East of England. He has worked for a wide variety of clients, ranging from trade unions through to national broadcasting companies, newspapers and international news magazines.

‘Macromancy’ is a retrospective drawing on over 35 years of Pinder’s photographic archives covering British social and political life since 1986. The exhibition tells the story of the overwhelming transformation in Britain since 1979 when Margaret Thatcher came to power.

There is a strong emphasis on the North East of England which has been particularly hard hit by the destruction of the industrial working class and their communities. Many of the photographs point towards the anger and resentment felt by many at the betrayals of an ever more remote political class, whilst also portraying a deep affection for his home region.

Previous solo exhibitions include ‘From Scotswood to Kurdistan’, Side Gallery, Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1989 and ‘The Gateshead Garden Festival’, Gateshead Library Gallery, 1991. Recent group exhibitions include ‘The Everyday Political’, CGP/Southwark Park Gallery, 2018 and ‘Facing Britain’ Museum Goch/IKS, 2020.

This project is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The exhibition previously toured to Hartlepool Art Gallery between 14 May – 9 July 2022. An accompanying publication published by Kerber will be available to purchase from the National Glass Centre shop.