Colonization from The History Lesson: Self as Image (Remodelling Photo History) 1982. Jo Spence and Terry Dennett. © Jo Spence Memorial Archive, The Image Centre

Depicting Britain from the post-war to the present era with images spanning more than 80 years, Dark Tales explores the complex relationship between the Gothic and British documentary photography. The photographs in the exhibition reveal waning industrial powers, claustrophobic domestic scenes, and menacing nocturnal activities.

Dark Tales brings together a selection of renowned images alongside lesser-known photographs, primarily selected from over 5000 prints in the Martin Parr Foundation collection by curator Isaac Blease. The emerging, playful narrative illustrates photography’s role in visualising emotions such as fear and fascination while amplifying the Gothic principle that horror thrives in proximity to the familiar.

The exhibition includes work by Anna Fox, Lee Miller, Sue Packer, Sarah Pickering, Alice Poyzer, Jo Spence and Janine Wiedel among many others.

Dark Tales is part of the Bristol Photo Festival 2026 programme.

To find out more please go to the direct link.