'Honest' images document everyday life in North East

1 hour ago

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Tish Murtha's work focused on working-class communities in Newcastle

Ella Murtha A black-and-white photo of a boy leaning on a wall with his hands framing his face. He is looking to the right and is wearing a dark jumper. The background is out of focus but shows a group of about five people looking in the direction of the camera. They are standing on a patch of grass in the middle of a housing estate. — Tish Murtha's work focused on working-class communities in Newcastle

An exhibition showcasing the work of two North East-based photographers, whose images document everyday life across the region over the past 50 years, will open next week.

Born in South Shields, photographer Tish Murtha worked in Newcastle from the late 1970s and is best known for chronicling working-class communities in the city's West End.

Kuba Ryniewicz, a Polish-born photographer who has lived in the city since 2004, was commissioned by the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art to create work to go alongside Murtha's images 'offering a counterpoint to her documentary vision'.

"We have a similar approach to people," said Ryniewicz, noting a shared honesty and warmth in their photography.

Kuba Ryniewicz A group of young adults on a small boat. On the right a man and woman are lying down, the woman with her head on the man's stomach. They both have brown short hair and are looking at each other in mid-conversation. There are collection of lighters next to them as well as an empty bottle. To the left there is a woman with red hair stroking a grey and white whippet. The legs of two other people are visible on the left, both wearing shorts. — Kuba Ryniewicz moved to Newcastle in 2004 and studied photography at Northumbria University

Ryniewicz came to Newcastle in 2004 to study English, and - despite a difficult start - "fell in love with the place".

"I lived in a very sad area of Newcastle," he said, which he describes as "like being in some Ken Loach movie".

After completing his English course, he went on to Northumbria University to study photography, by way of Newcastle College.

Ella Murtha A black-and-white photo of two men. The man on the right has brown, short hair and is leaning into the other man. It looks like he is either going to whisper something in his ear, or kiss him. The man on the left is fair and balding and has his eyes closed and mouth open. They are both wearing suits and there is a pint of stout on the table in front of them. — The exhibition features photographs from Tish Murtha's archive and has been developed in collaboration with her daughter, Ella

"I was always kind of attracted to photographing my surroundings and my people - my friends - and when I look at these photos now they're kind of really honest

"I try to always photograph people in that way," he said.

"They're kind of respectful, but also give people freedom to express themselves [and] how they want to be photographed."

Kuba Ryniewicz A white house with a flock of pigeons in flight overhead. The birds are slightly blurry. There is a wall to the right with a bike shed and children's easel leaning against it. The tops of other houses can be seen over the wall. The sky is blue with thin long clouds. — The exhibitoin Close to Home will run at Baltic until 4 April 2027

Murtha died suddenly in 2013, at the age of 56, and the Baltic exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with her daughter, Ella, who has worked hard to ensure her mother's images are seen and celebrated.

Ryniewicz said he was honoured to have been asked to create works to feature alongside Murtha's archive, but also a bit hesitant.

"It's an honour, but it's also super, super scary for me," he said.

"Immediately I was like, 'oh gosh - I think our work is actually very, very, very different. Like - how can we build a dialogue?'"

But Ryniewicz later realised, despite their superficial differences, similiar sensibilities underscore both photographers' work.

"I never met Tish sadly, but I feel like we have a similar approach to people," he said.

Ryniewicz's new body of work 'explores joy, resilience and everyday life across the region', according to the exhibition's curators, to create a 'unique exhibition [that] brings two powerful photographic voices into conversation'.

"It's about how we build a world around us with those people.... creating some kind of friendship," says Ryniewicz.

"I think you can see there's a certain level of honesty within the work - something that is sort of warm, and kind of approachable."

Ella Murtha A black-and-white photo of four young men sitting in what looks like a shopping centre and looking into the camera with straight faces. They are holding various mobs and brooms and are dressed in casual clothes. — Ryniewicz said he and Murtha had a similar approach to people

While Ryniewicz has enjoyed a successful career, Murtha's work was only recognised following her death, and a lot of hard work raising awareness of her mother's talent by Ella.

The Polish photographer said he understood those struggles to gain recogntion.

"You have lots of odds against you if you're based in the North East as a photographer," said Ryniewicz.

"People can see me and my work and say 'you've made it', but it's lots of years of work. I had to do lots of other jobs.

"You have to keep going. Even if it's not successful at first, you just need to keep going and build up your portfolio and build up your work."

The exhibition Close to Home opens at Baltic on 4 July and closes next April.

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