Brian De Montalk - East End '78 - 9 September to 8th October 2022 at Photospace Gallery Wellington New Zealand

Brian de Montalk - 'East End '78' poster, 9 Sept-8 Oct 2022, Photospace Gallery

The photographs for this exhibition were taken near the end of Brian de Montalk's four years in London. There are 22 inkjet prints, scanned from 35mm black & white film. 'East End '78' opens on Friday 9th September, 5pm-7pm, along with Grant Douglas' exhibition 'Going Electric'.

Both exhibitions run from 9th September to 8th October 2022, Normal gallery hours are 10am-3pm Monday to Friday, 11am-2pm Saturday, closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Artist Bio & Statement:

Brian de Montalk is a self-taught photographer living in Petone. He developed an interest in street photography while living in London's East End in the late 1970s. The East End was in stark contrast with bustling wealthy financial hub (City of London) just a stone's throw away.

At the time the East End was a facing massive change from redevelopment, social deprivation and racial discrimination fuelled by extreme right wing groups. This presented opportunities to document some changes over a period of a few days during a cold winter. Brian hopes the selection of 22 prints provides a glimpse of East End, with some of its people, markets, streets and places.

In 1982 one of the prints, Early morning, near Brick Lane (I) (then titled 'A Social Problem') gained an Acceptance in 25th International New Zealand Exhibition  of Photography.

Brian de Montalk's previous exhibition at Photospace was 'A Nation Divided' in 2021.

Photo by Brian de Montalk from East End '78 - Near Brick Lane (1)

Photo by Brian de Montalk from East End '78 - Catching a Bus

Photo by Brian de Montalk from East End '78 - Redevelopment

Photo by Brian de Montalk from East End '78 - Roman Road Market