MUSEUM OF YOUTH CULTURE PRESENTS HOW WE WERE, SHIRLEY BAKER 

Online, December 1 – March 1
Exhibition Location Here

The Museum of Youth Culture archive proudly houses a selection of Shirley Baker’s work documenting Punks in Camden during the 1980s, highlighting one of the many eclectic strands of outstanding photographic social documentary work taken throughout Shirley’s life. 

Harking back to the community spirit and togetherness of yesteryear, How We Were journeys through the streets of Manchester through the eyes of renowned documentary photographer, Shirley Baker (1932 - 2014). Documenting the playfulness and tender grit of 1960s British streets, Shirley’s post-war world appears in extreme contrast to British life today whilst we grapple within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst children play in wartime rubble and mothers fluster past graffiti, this exhibition of remarkable darkroom handprints and ephemera remind us of the importance of human expression and the resilience of community during these sanitised times. 

“Ask any kid where he would most like to play and, nine times out of ten, even if he has a garden of his own, his answer will be – ‘the street’!” - Shirley Baker 

About Museum of Youth Culture
Championing the impact of youth on modern society, the Museum of Youth Culture is formed from the archives of YOUTH CLUB, a non-profit Heritage Funded collection incorporating over 150,000 photographs, ephemera and educational texts from over 400 photographers and writers celebrating youth culture history. 

Museum of Youth Culture represents the world's most comprehensive collection of youth culture content tailored for the specialist handling of young people's heritage. A diverse youth engagement is at the heart of the Museum incorporating skills training, talks and workshops, helping to inspire future generations through the power of youth culture. We work together with writers and academics from The Subcultures Network to make youth culture history accessible to everyone.

Central to the work we are doing as a Museum of Youth Culture is the people whose stories we are looking to represent, share and celebrate. There are many ways in which you can get involved with the museum, from submitting your photographs to sharing your ephemera or your stories. To find out to submit your photos, flyers, ticket stubs and memories, and help us build the Museum of Youth Culture see HERE.