Understand
People captured in iconic 1978 Wolverhampton photograph are reunited for new exhibition
Overview
An iconic 1978 photograph taken by Chris Steele-Perkins at Wolverhampton's Culture Centre has led to a reunion of the people featured in it, nearly 50 years later. The image, which shows young people enjoying reggae music and dancing, is being exhibited at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, allowing the previously anonymous subjects to share their stories and have their names recognised.
Key points
- An iconic 1978 photograph by Chris Steele-Perkins of young people dancing at Wolverhampton's Culture Centre has reunited its subjects nearly 50 years later.
- The central dancer in the photograph, Vivienne Dawes, and Winston Logan, who also appears in the image, reflected on the era and the significance of the Culture Centre as a community hub.
- The photograph was originally commissioned by the Sunday Times magazine in 1978 following a feature marking a decade since Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech.
- The image has previously been exhibited globally, including at V&A East, and inspired a portrait painting by artist Claudette Johnson.
- An exhibition featuring the photograph and reuniting several people pictured opens at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's Encore Lounge from 4 October to 31 October.