The Partisan Coffee House May 2017


© Roger Mayne Archive / Mary Evans Picture Library

5-27 May 2017 (closed Sundays and Mondays)

The fascinating story of the Partisan Coffee House, founded by radical historian Raphael Samuel, cultural theorist Stuart Hall and others.  The exhibition includes previously unseen photographs by renowned documentary photographer Roger Mayne, alongside printed materials, film clips and oral histories.

The exhibition is generously supported by the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust, Laurie McDowell, Birkbeck, University of London, Bishopsgate Institute, Raphael Samuel History Centre, Mary Evans Picture Library, ITN Source, New Left Review and British Film Institute.  Special thanks to Stefan Dickers, Katkin Tremayne, Sally Jeffery, Dave McTaggart, Richard at Chan Photographic Imaging, Brian Campbell at B2 Exhibitions, and Gary at thePrintspace. The exhibition is co-curated by Mike Berlin and Carla Mitchell, in collaboration with Four Corners.

Exhibition events

Thursday 11 May, 6.30pm – Partisan Coffee House: an ‘anti-espresso bar’. An evening of discussion and debate on the cultural politics of the early New Left, with historians Madeleine Davis, Nick Beech and Mike Berlin. Book here

Saturday 20 May, 6.30pm – The Partisan Coffee House: an evening of music, song, poems and celebration. Join legendary poet, musician and artistic catalyst Michael Horovitz, with fellow performer and artist Vanessa Vie, in a musical-poetic invocation of the Partisan Coffee House. Also appearing is Giles Leaman, sound artist and musical instrument inventor, formerly of the Penguin Café Orchestra. Book here

Tuesday 23 May, 6.30pm – The photography of Roger Mayne. The work of iconic British photographer Roger Mayne is discussed by Anna Douglas, curator of the major retrospective taking place at The Photographers Gallery. Book here

Download press release

Four Corners Gallery: free admission


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