Hackney Flashers to feature in rebellious exhibition at Tate Britain

Women In Revolt!: Art, Activism and the Women’s movement in the UK 1970–1990

8 November 2023 – 7 April 2024

Tate Britain is set to host a major new show surveying UK feminist artists. Women In Revolt! will include work by over 100 women artists.

The show covers a crucial time for feminist expression and activism in the UK. Who’s Holding the Baby by the Hackney Flashers will be part of the exhibition.

This will be a rare opportunity for those in the UK to see the most comprehensive collection of the work. Selections of panels and slideshows have been exhibited in the UK in recent years. But, the fullest collection of panels is in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid.

The panels will be on loan at Tate Britain for the Women In Revolt! exhibition. This collection of panels consists of 23 of the original 29 panels. It provides a clear sense of the original exhibition. Its format is as close as you can now get to experiencing Who’s Holding the Baby as the collective intended it.

Agitprop, not art

The Hackney Flashers took the panels on tour in community venues during 1978 and 1979. The pioneering project sparked a vibrant campaign.

With some misgivings, they agreed to show the work as part of the Hayward Gallery’s Three Perspectives on Photography exhibition in 1979. The purpose of their exhibition was political. It was agitprop, not art. However, the work was part of the Socialist Photography section of the exhibition. They hoped this would inspire young photographers who saw it.

In addition, the Hayward Gallery agreed to support a demonstration for affordable childcare. This took place outside the gallery during the official launch event.

Women In Revolt “explores how networks of women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to make an invaluable contribution to British culture.” It’s significant and welcome to show Who’s Holding the Baby in this rebellious context.

The new Tate exhibition also features work about Punk and the peace movement. It features work about the experiences of Black and South Asian Women, and the impact of Section 28.

Art historians have often excluded this work and its creators from art history. It will be refreshing to see.

The exhibition is at Tate Britain from 8 November 2023 – 7 April 2024. You can get tickets from Tate.