Wonderland.

Wonderland.

YARDIE EXHIBITION

A retro photo series celebrates the release of Idris Elba’s directorial debut.

12) Armet Francis, Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market, London, 1973

Armet Francis, Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market, London, 1973. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund Copyright © Armet Francis.

12) Armet Francis, Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market, London, 1973
Armet Francis, Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market, London, 1973. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund Copyright © Armet Francis.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Idris Elba has perfected the art of plate spinning. The Hackney-born actor is in a state of constant dabble, balancing several projects on the go at once. First off, there’s perceptible industry murmurs that he’s next in line to take on the bow tie-wearing, martini-swigging role of Bond. This year, he also launched his new record label 7Wallace Music; and now, his directorial debut, Yardie, is set for release this month.

An adaptation of Victor Headley’s cult novel, Yardie, goes into the seedy underbelly of 80s Hackney in this tale of retribution. And to celebrate its release, film distribution company StudioCanal has teamed up with east London charity, The Autograph Archive, for a free exhibition at Hackney Picturehouse.

The series includes photos of Britain’s black communities in the 70s and early 80s. A man balancing on gargantuan speakers. Women at a beauty pageant. A barber in Hammersmith.

Back in the Day: The Autograph Archive x Yardie will run between 18 August – 2 September 2018 at Hackney Picturehouse. Yardie comes to cinemas on 31 August

Raphael Albert (1935-2009) archive 1960 -1980, including beauty pageants such as Miss Black and Beautiful and Miss West Indies in Great Britain; as well as documentary photographs and family portraits of the local community in West London.
Raphael Albert (1935-2009) archive 1960 -1980, including beauty pageants such as Miss Black and Beautiful and Miss West Indies in Great Britain; as well as documentary photographs and family portraits of the local community in West London.

(LEFT) Raphael Albert, Miss Black & Beautiful Sybil McLean with fellow contestants, Hammersmith Palais, London, 1972. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Raphael Albert.
(RIGHT) Raphael Albert, Miss Black & Beautiful contest, Hammersmith, London, 1970s. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Raphael Albert.

Raphael Albert (1935-2009) archive 1960 -1980, including beauty pageants such as Miss Black and Beautiful and Miss West Indies in Great Britain; as well as documentary photographs and family portraits of the local community in West London.
Raphael Albert, Miss Black & Beautiful Sybil McLean with fellow contestants, Hammersmith Palais, London, 1972. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Raphael Albert.
Raphael Albert (1935-2009) archive 1960 -1980, including beauty pageants such as Miss Black and Beautiful and Miss West Indies in Great Britain; as well as documentary photographs and family portraits of the local community in West London.
Raphael Albert, Miss Black & Beautiful contest, Hammersmith, London, 1970s. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Raphael Albert.
The Black House by Colin Jones

Colin Jones, Untitled, from the series The Black House, 1973-1976. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Colin Jones.

The Black House by Colin Jones
Colin Jones, Untitled, from the series The Black House, 1973-1976. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Colin Jones.
3) Syd Shelton, Skully Roots (Jeff Walwyn), Majestic Sounds, Militant Entertainment Tour, Leeds 1979
The Black House

(LEFT) Syd Shelton, Skully Roots (Jeff Walwyn), Majestic Sounds, Militant Entertainment Tour, Leeds 1979. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Syd Shelton.
(RIGHT) Colin Jones, Untitled, from the series The Black House, 1973-1976. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Colin Jones.

3) Syd Shelton, Skully Roots (Jeff Walwyn), Majestic Sounds, Militant Entertainment Tour, Leeds 1979
Syd Shelton, Skully Roots (Jeff Walwyn), Majestic Sounds, Militant Entertainment Tour, Leeds 1979. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Syd Shelton.
The Black House
Colin Jones, Untitled, from the series The Black House, 1973-1976. Courtesy credit: Courtesy Autograph. Copyright © Colin Jones.

Words
Maybelle Morgan
15 August 2018
Art & Culture