Young children posing raucously for a photo.

Events

Exposure and contrast: the Exit photography group

Hosted by the LSE Library

LSE Library Gallery, United Kingdom

LSE Library's Autumn/Winter exhibition derives from a collection of photographs and interviews held in the archives. The group responsible for this collection were called Exit and they came together in the 1970s to bear witness to the changes and challenges impacting Britain's inner cities.

Children playing on and around a car

Their efforts were published in 1982 as the book Survival Programmes and revealed a country wracked by inequalities and creaking social support services. The interviews and photographs were taken in the mid-late 1970s, illustrating a country in flux where opportunities were hard to come by for many.

A group of people on a beach

Alongside the main story, material from the Child Poverty Action Group, and other campaigns and publications from the early 1980s, contextualise the fissures that Exit documented.

Organise a tour

The Gallery is a small enough space for a 15 minute tour — available on request.

Get in touch if you would like to arrange a tour.

A poster with exhibition details on and a photo of children at the doorway of a caravan with adults looking on.

Exposure and Contrast: LSE Library photo competition

We want to see your images that resonate with the mission and ethos of the Exit Photography Group, to document the human condition. If you have taken photos that reflect social issues, exclusion, inequality, collective memory, or protest, then consider submitting them to this competition.

Find out about our photo competition

Have any questions? 

Contact us via email or find out other ways to get in touch.

The British Library of Political and Economic Science (@LSELibrary) was founded in 1896, a year after the London School of Economics and Political Science. It has been based in the Lionel Robbins Building since 1978 and houses many world class collections, including the Women's Library and Hall-Carpenter Archives.

Accessibility

If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ. LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the event's organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements, so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.

Social media

You can get immediate notification on the availability of an event podcast by following LSE public lectures and events on X, which will also inform you about the posting of transcripts and videos, the announcement of new events and other important event updates. Event updates and other information about what's happening at LSE can be found on the LSE's Facebook page.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend checking back on this listing on the day of the event if you plan to attend.

Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure accurate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.

How can I attend? Add to calendar

Entry is free of charge and no booking is required.

The Library Gallery is open: 

  • 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday
  • 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday

Get in contact by email for any further information or assistance.