Untitled, 1968 © David Bailey

David Bailey is Newham’s most famous son. The exhibition of pictures of the East End, taken over 50 years, will see him return to Newham while the world’s focus is on east London. It is little known that David Bailey has photographed east London streets and their inhabitants from the early 60′s right up to the present day, returning time and again to the stomping ground of his youth. David Bailey’s East End is one of the highlights of the CREATE summer programme which runs from 21 June to the end of August.

The photographs that will be displayed, many of them large-scale prints, document the changing physical and social landscape of east London showing streetscapes, characters and scenes of east London life. Some famous faces appear but they are nestled in among the renowned ‘faces’ of the area. Bailey’s photographs also provide a visual record of the different groups of immigrants who have settled in this part of the city. The exhibition focuses on three periods, the Sixties, Eighties and recent years

David Bailey: “London’s East End is in my DNA and I’m thrilled to be able to return to my roots in Newham. Now the rest of the world will focus on an area I’ve been looking at all my life.”

David Bailey’s East End

July 6th to Aug 5th, 2012

Compressor House

Dockside Road

London E16 2QD

Entry: £6 and £4 conc. FREE for Newham residents.

Opening hours: 11am – 7pm Tuesday – Sunday; late night until 9.30pm Thursday and Friday