40th BIRTHDAY YEAR
#OEG40
40 Years of Open Eye Gallery: 1977-2017
Colin Wilkinson, Founder of Open Eye Gallery
“Open Eye Gallery, where I… was dynamic. We were doing an exhibition a month. It wasn’t madness – it was exciting. Opportunities came up and we took them.” – 1978
Mandy, Visitor
“Open Eye Gallery, where I… protested against an exhibition. Myself and other feminists sprayed shaving foam on some quite graphic images of women.” – 1980
Martin Parr, Photographer
“Open Eye Gallery, where I… exhibited The Last Resort with Tom Wood. The Gallery was a nice place to go. It was what you might call shabby chic, but it worked and functioned well and the show got a good response.” – 1986
Simon Norfolk, Photographer
“Open Eye Gallery, where I… discovered photography was what I’d do for the rest of my life. Having a voice that people want to hear is a rare privilege.” – 1999
Debbie Chan, Previous member of staff
“Open Eye Gallery, where I…got my first full-time job as trainee programme assistant. A significant occasion, because my Chinese parents always supported my madness for the arts, but never knew how.” – 2000
Tim Riley, Architect (Mann Island gallery)
Open Eye Gallery, where I…felt immense pride to be told that the design had captured the spirit of the Gallery and continued to provoke and engage the people of the city.” – 2011
Phoebe Kiely, Photographer
“Open Eye Gallery, where I…was given my first exhibition. I was given a voice throughout. I grew more as an artist during that exhibition than I ever had before.” – 2016
Join us for an exciting year ahead as we launch our 40th birthday celebrations.
Over this 40 year period, Open Eye Gallery has exhibited some of the world’s most inspiring and insightful photographers. We have championed the agency of photography as art, as social and historical document, and as integral to the cultural impact of music, fashion, architecture and many other disciplines.
In 2017, Open Eye Gallery will be celebrating our deep connection to place. Working in partnership, we explore the visual identity of the North, the City as a site for global exchange, the history and future of counter culture and the people & communities of our City Region.