40 Years of Open Eye Gallery: 1977-2017
2017 Open Eye Gallery will celebrate its 40th birthday. Over this period we have exhibited some of the worlds most inspiring and insightful photographers. We have championed the agency of photography as art, as social and historical document, and as integral to cultural impact of music, fashion, architecture and many other disciplines.
We want to celebrate your part in our history. It would be fantastic if you could share a memory with us.
John Stoddart – Photographer: “Open Eye Gallery, where I was given my first exhibition. They really took me under their wing to be honest. I was only 22 at the time and it encouraged me to do more” – 1981
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
Peter Hagerty – Previous Director of Open Eye Gallery: “Open Eye Gallery, where I found out that art can shock people. If you’re not provoking people into thought, what are you doing?” – 1980
Jog your memory by taking a look at our History page. Open Eye Gallery has previously been located on Whitechapel (1977-88), Bold Street (1989-1995) and Wood Street (1996-2010) before moving to Mann Island in 2011.
Share your memory with us by downloading this quote template or by emailing Dan Warner, Research Curator, dan@openeye.org.uk