Gallery Exhibition: Shirley Baker Street Photography

Saturday 1 to Sunday 30 March 2025

We are delighted to present an iconic selection of photographs by Shirley Baker (1932 – 2014).

Shirley Baker was one of Britain’s most compelling yet underappreciated social documentary photographers. Her street photography of the working-class inner city areas of Salford and Manchester, taken from 1960 until 2000, would come to define her humanist vision. Her curiosity and engagement with the everyday world around her resulted in many different strands of work, many of which are yet to be exhibited. Each strand and each image confirms her acute observation and visual humour as well as compassion for the lives of ordinary people.

This special exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in photography and social history. It shows here in Stroud thanks to the generosity and support of Nan Levy, Shirley’s daughter, and Fred Chance of PhotoStroud. Accompanying events include talks and workshops organised in collaboration with Hundred Heroines, a unique contemporary museum and gallery dedicated to women in photography. These events also celebrate Women’s History Month, re-examining the often forgotten history of female photographers and women as change makers.

Look out for photographs and poetry created by young people from local schools, in response to Shirley’s work, and photographs by mothers from the Rosary School, also in response to Shirley’s work.

Accompanying Events (booking required):

Exhibition curated by Fred Chance who in past years has brought a series of world-class photography exhibitions to Stroud under the ‘PhotoStroud’ banner.

Photographs kindly on loan from the Estate of Shirley Baker, with many thanks to Nan Levy, daughter of Shirley Baker. Banner image copyright the Shirley Baker Estate.

Admission free, donations welcome, books and postcards available to buy from the Museum Shop.