‘What Presence: the Music Photography of Harry Papadopoulos’

‘What Presence: the Music Photography of Harry Papadopoulos’

Presented by Street Level Photoworks as part of Stirling Photography Festival at Tolbooth.

In a swift shutter’s click, Papadopoulos captured an era when the sound of Scotland echoed out across Britain and the world. For bands such as Aztec Camera, Orange Juice and The Bluebells it was he who helped define their striking image. As a staff photographer with Sounds magazine, Harry worked with many up and coming Scots bands that emerged during the early 1980s and over a five year period, his photographs covered the wider post-punk waterfront.

The exhibition will include images of legendary Scottish acts, such as The Associates, Altered Images, Josef K, Strawberry Switchblade, The Pastels, The Dreamboys (featuring Peter Capaldi on vocals and Craig Ferguson on drums), as well as photographs of musicians who continue to have an influence on new music today, such as David Bowie and Gil Scott-Heron.

The Harry Papadopoulos Collection is curated by Ken McCluskey and Malcolm Dickson, and is held at Street Level Photoworks.

Photo Credit: David Bowie, © Harry Papadopoulos, courtesy Street Level Photoworks

‘Keeping the Stories Alive’

Alongside Harry’s exhibition there will be a fascinating display of images and memorabilia brought together by David Meldrum Lowe, drummer, writer and publisher of the book of the same name, which is quite possibly the definitive Social History and Who’s Who of musicians, entertainers and venues in the Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire areas. This will also include rare zines, photographs and other memorabilia provided by local movers and shakers which gives further insights into the story of Stirling’s punk and DIY scene.

KEEPING THE STORIES ALIVE –
Stirling Photography Festival

The theme for 2024 is ‘Roots & Rituals’.

This year marks Stirling’s 900th year as a Royal Burgh and the photography festival honours this with our theme – Roots & Rituals.

The festival team are delighted to be collaborating again with the Tolbooth and Street Level Photoworks to bring you this exhibition in celebration of Stirling’s vibrant musical tradition.

The Stirling Photography Festival will run throughout September with a programme of exhibitions and workshops at venues across Stirlingshire. Once again, we will be working with Stirling’s cultural organisations and some of Scotland’s leading artists. The full programme will be revealed through July and can be seen at Stirling Photography Festival.

Header Image Photo Credit: The Bluebells, © Harry Papadopoulos, courtesy Street Level Photoworks

Panel Discussion
Wed 4^th Sep, Doors 6:30pm | Tolbooth Attic
Tickets – FREE but must be booked in advance. – BOOK HERE

An unmissable free panel event featuring several individuals who have contributed photographs, flyers, zines, and other record shop artifacts which feature in ‘Keeping the Stories Alive’, including:

David Meldrum Lowe on his book of the same name which focusses on bands and venues from the 50s through to the 80s; Billy McChord, musician and band member of 22 Beaches, on the Stirling punk and post punk scenes; Mairi Ross Bauchop, band member of The Fakes; Les Cook, sometime member of Pop Wallpaper; Ewen Duncan, proprietor of Europa Music on record shops in Stirlingshire; and Ken McCluskey, musician and co-curator of the Harry Papadopoulos collection.