Freedom Then and Now by Leticia Valverdes with partipants working with Sonja Burniston Developed by Future Arts Centres and Open Eye Gallery, the exhibition brings together images drawn from 60 locally-led projects. Communities of all ages and backgrounds considered what freedom meant in their place in 1945, and what it means now.
To capture these stories, 22 photographers were commissioned through Open Eye Gallery, as part of their national role in the Socially Engaged Photography Network, to closely follow each project. The resulting exhibition offers a powerful visual record of the people involved – from schoolchildren and veterans to artists and participants aged 0 – 100 – reflecting the diversity and creativity at the heart of the programme.
Across the UK, the project took many different forms, from a large-scale photographic mosaic created from public submissions in Lincolnshire, to a graphic novel exploring wartime history through a coming-of-age story in Barrow-in-Furness, as well as community street parties combining music, food and performance in Colchester, among many other locally-led activities.
Following its London premiere, Our Freedom Then and Now will tour between 26 March and 30 October 2026 to arts centres and libraries that took part in the programme, stretching from Libraries Unlimited in the South West to Eden Court in the Highlands.
The full exhibition will also be available to view online from 25 March 2026.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, said: “The 1951 Festival of Britain was the moment the UK transformed from post-war grey into full and glorious technicolour, establishing the Royal Festival Hall as a beacon of optimism. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the first chapter of our story, it feels right to see the work of 60 arts centres, libraries and their communities filling our site to share what freedom looks and feels like in 2026.
“Working with Future Arts Centres and Open Eye Gallery, this exhibition shows that the forward-looking energy of 1951 still pulses through our neighbourhoods today. It’s a joy to open our doors to these national voices before they head back out to tour the UK.”
Our Freedom: Then and Now was delivered by Future Arts Centres in partnership with Libraries Connected, supported using public funding by UK Government through Arts Council England. The exhibition has been produced by Future Arts Centres, Open Eye Gallery and the Socially Engaged Photography Network.
Images by Leticia Valverdes, Karina Lax, Sam Ivin.
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Touring exhibition – please check each venue's address and opening times.
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Touring exhibition – please check each venue's address and opening times.
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