Bringing 1983 back to life through photography

Having left college in 1983 photographer and film-maker Alan Van Wijgerden set about collecting stories and images.

The photographs, some of which have not been seen for more than 30 years, are now on display in his home town of Coventry.

They depict scenes from across the country, including Brixton, Oxford and Birmingham.

Some of them were originally shown in an exhibition called Fashion.

"Not fashion in the haute couture sense," he said.

"This was fashion in a much broader sense."

Originally the images were cropped to focus only on the people, but were now being shown in a "broader context in their complete surroundings," he said.

"There are stories behind a lot of these images and I just about had the money for materials," he said.

"Staying in a squat in South London... and a peace camp for the Oxford photos."

Some show the homes of local artists, including "the morning after, in a rough, rented student house," he said.

The 70-year-old photographer was given his first camera at the age of 12.

In 1983 he had just left college.

"Well, good old polytechnic as it was then," he said.

"I was just interested in stories, and I suppose it could be called street photography, although that term wasn't about then."

The year pre-dated digital photography entirely, he added.

"There wasn't social media about then, and I think photography was much harder.

"Everyone's got a phone nowadays, everyone can be a photographer, but back then it was a bit more difficult."

The images are being shown at Art Riot Collective, in Coventry's Fargo Village, an organisation which supports a community of disabled and neurodivergent artists.

"Having been through the special needs system as a kid, I still like to do work that's socially connected," he said.

"Making connections with communities is what I'm most happy doing."

He said he still carries a small digital camera with him most of the time, adding it was an interest "which won't go away".

He also captures videos at local events of participants and organisers, which are shared on his Facebook page.

The exhibition had been a "wonderful" experience, he added.

"I'm a bit blown away by it to be honest".

1983 by Alan Van Wijgerden is on display at Art Riot Collective, Fargo Village, Coventry, which is open 12:00 - 16:00 Thursday to Sunday until 6 May.

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