John Myers— The World is Not Beautiful

24 Febuary 2017  - 29 April 2017

John Myers’ remarkable, yet little-known, photographs present a tableau of life in the West Midlands of the 1970s as it has never been seen before.   In line with renewed interest in American landscape photography of the 70s, Myers’ black-and-white portrait and landscape photography is attracting significant critical attention after going almost unnoticed for over 20 years.

‘Landscape’ in its broadest sense can be used to describe Myers’ documentation of suburban life in his native West Midlands – the housing estates, blocks of flats, cul-de-sacs, garages, electricity substations and unsmiling portraits of the people that populated his local area. Myers’ evokes the streetscapes and uncomplicated certainties of Britain in the 1970s and the profound economic dislocation that took hold at the beginning of 1980s. 

A fully illustrated 72 page catalogue is available through Cornerhouse publications priced £12.00 (ISBN: 978-0-9935912-2-8)

Location: Gateway Gallery, Hat Factory, 65-67 Bute Street, Luton, LU1 2EY

The World is not Beautiful is a touring exhibition from UH Galleries, curated by Matthew Shaul (Departure Lounge Director) and is generously supported by Arts Council England. This exhibition is part of As You Change, So Do I a three-year arts programme funded by Arts Council England’s Luton Investment Programme.