Punk: Rage and Revolution exhibition comes to Leicester

Punk in the 1970s was arguably one of the most popular and recognised youth subcultures in the UK with the movement taking Britain by storm until its popularity slowly died down. Although punk was born in London from the SEX boutique by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, Leicester was a key hotspot for the culture.

Dr Emma Parker, an ambassador to the exhibition with punk expertise, said that the exhibition: “tells the untold story of the contribution of Leicester creatives to punk. Leicester was a site of incredible left-field creativity.”

Key Leicester individuals with untold stories in terms of the punk era that the exhibition explores include designer Roger K. Burton, photographers David Parkinson and Steve Pyke, Stephane Raynor, Will and Jack English, to name a few.

Burton is a writer, acclaimed fashion and film stylist and subculture collector who was there at the start of the punk movement and sourced vintage clothes for all famous punk stores. Additionally, he co-founded and designed PX and designed the Worlds End store by Westwood and McLaren.

Leicestershire photographers David Parkinson and Steve Pyke are also shown in the exhibition. Parkinson is often called the forgotten figure of 1970s street fashion photography, who sadly died at the age of 29. Pyke is one of the world’s most distinguished photographers who experienced both the London and Leicester punk scenes.

Stephane Raynor was the creator of the iconic BOY fashion label who often was the unsung hero, despite his label’s popularity.

Brothers William and Jack English were born in Leicester and both had experiences in 1970s Leicester. William is a filmmaker and broadcaster whose radio series, Wavelength, showcases experimental poetry, music and art. Jack is a photographer, recognised for his work in the film and music industry.

Both those who were a part of the punk subculture when it was at its peak and those who associate with the movement in today’s time, all appreciate and admire what punk stood for and what it meant.

Melanie Berman, a contributor to the exhibition, said that punk “made us more politically aware and gave us a voice.

“We stood up for anti-racism and were championing for the gay community. In fact, all minorities and outsiders – to make things better.”

The punk movement was very much dedicated to campaigning for a better future and to promote necessary social change to improve on the social, cultural and political issues of the time, which was dampening the young generations’ hopefulness and outlook on life.

Soft Touch Arts, a Leicester-based charity that helps disadvantaged young people through arts, media and music, contributed to the exhibition by exploring this. Through the exhibition, Soft Touch Arts explores how factors from the punk era such as social, political and cultural issues are still relevant to today’s society.

Emma Heller and Karina Hall, two people who are working on the exhibition as a part of Soft Touch Arts, explained how there are many parallels between the 1970s punk era and today in terms of societal issues. Karina said: “There are parallels between the recession then and the cost of living now.”

These parallels with issues such as politics and racism between the two eras are what the exhibition explores to show the younger generation that they can fight for a better future in the forms like activism. This fundamental of punk can still be applied to today’s society as the need to fight for social justice is prevalent due to issues such as the cost of living, racism, homophobia and more.

Shaun Knapp, a social history author who was heavily involved in the exhibition’s curation, said: “It was surprising to see how those concerns and issues from the 1970s are still evident today, they’re just wearing a different set of clothes.”

One key social factor that contributed to the rise of the punk movement, which can be seen in the Leicester government’s records, is unemployment. Punk was a rebellion against the social and political norms of the 1970s and largely consisted of working-class individuals. Unemployment in Leicester was significantly on the rise during the 70s with the unemployment rate at 4,302 in April 1971. Therefore, it is no surprise that punk exploded in Leicester.

Melanie Berman added: “Back then, it felt like there was no future, as the economic climate was tough and there were no jobs. Now, it doesn’t feel like much has changed.”

Despite the subculture’s peak occurring in the 1970s, the features of punk, the camaraderie between those in the subculture and what it stood for are still prominent today for those old and new to punk. Punk is not just a fashion style or the way someone looks, it is the beliefs that they have and what they stand up for, even if it is against the societal norms.

Commenting on how she still resonates with 70s punk, Melanie said: “We’ve all evolved. But punk is an attitude, not just what you look like. It [punk] is in your heart and core beliefs.”

Ultimately, what punk achieves today is to bring the older generation from the punk 70s and today’s younger generation together to understand how they can fight for a better future.

Emma Heller and Karina Hall added that they hope the exhibition “creates a dialogue between generations” and shows, through the expression of the time, that “there is a future they [younger generations] can aspire to.”

Shaun summarised the exhibition: “We want visitors to feel that they’ve learned something new while taking a stroll down memory lane, even if they weren’t there the first time around.”

The unique and free exhibition at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and Soft Touch Arts will be open to visit until Sunday 3 September 2023.

More information about the exhibition can be found here.