Instagram story viewer> @tishmurtha> Posts

The Tish Murtha Archive

@tishmurtha

45.2K

followers

638

following

Tish Murtha (1956–2013)
Documentary Photographer 📷
Images © Ella Murtha, All Rights Reserved.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Thank you to everyone who has taken Tish into their hearts and for all the lovely comments about our film. It hurts so much that me mam had no idea how many people her work would touch, having to list photography as simply a footnote on her CV 💔
I hope that wherever she is, she can feel the love. Thank you, everyone xx

The film is now available on the BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001xyrg/tish by @tishmurtha

5k

281

3 years ago

July ❤️

I'm never going to get over how it feels to see Glenn's beautiful face up there!
Thank you @balticgateshead and @founded.design for making it happen. taken in Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by @tishmurtha

1k

48

3 months ago

LIMITED PRE-ORDER COPIES AVAILABLE

Published by BCA in collaboration with the Tish Murtha Archive, the book presents Tish Murtha’s seminal Youth Unemployment body of work in a bold new form, under a title drawn from her powerful accompanying essay.

With texts by Ella Murtha and @ohnococo_ , and stunning design by @fredshub , it brings one of the most important bodies of work in British documentary photography to a new generation.

Exclusively available via BCA.
Pre-order now. Link in bio. by @tishmurtha

4k

31

6 months ago

Head of Exhibitions, Niomi, discusses the work of celebrated North East documentary photographer, the late @TishMurtha.

Developed in close collaboration with her daughter, Ella Murtha, Close to Home honours Tish’s vision and the continued stewardship of her archive presenting her renowned Elswick Kids, Elswick Revisited, Save Scotswood Works and Youth Unemployment series together for the first time.

🕙Open Wed-Sun | 10:00-18:00
👥Free Entry
📍Level 3 Northumbria University Gallery at Baltic

#BalticGateshead #TishMurtha by @tishmurtha

934

32

a month ago

In the summer of 2006, me mam was visiting @balticgateshead to see an exhibition and snapped this photo before crossing the Millennium Bridge. Now twenty years on, it's her name and work on the banner outside and her photos inside, alongside @kuba_ryniewicz !!!

It feels like a really beautiful full circle moment.
I just wish she was here to see it. I miss her every single day, and I hope, wherever she is, she knows how proud I am of her.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this show to life. I'm so grateful to you all 😘

@niomifairweather
@rose_mcmurray_
@sarah_munro_
@craigletron
@spectrumlab
@founded.design

Close to Home opens this Saturday 4th July!!!!! taken in Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by @tishmurtha

5k

139

4 months ago

She was only 12 years old...but she knew her voice mattered ❤️

Back in 1979, Janis Prudhoe wrote a letter to try and help save her dad’s job, and she marched alongside him and his workmates as they campaigned to save Scotswood Works.

47 years later, she came to the Close to Home exhibition at @balticgateshead and there were her words, sitting alongside a photograph of her dad, Bob. Thanks, Jan, for being an absolute legend and also sending me these lovely photos!
(Swipe to see her as a bairn with her banner, her letter, and a photograph of Bob at ‘The Wake’ held in the Robin Adair pub on Scotswood Road.)

This is why my mam believed so deeply in documentary photography: because every life matters, every voice deserves to be heard, and every story deserves to be remembered with care and dignity. A legacy of love. ❤️

Tish Murtha & Kuba Ryniewicz - Close to Home
Open until 4th April 2027 at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. taken in Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by @tishmurtha

633

23

3 months ago

Another beautiful full circle moment. Nine years ago, the very first TV interview I did about me mam's archive was with Damian O'Neil from BBC Look North. On Friday, we had the biggest hug, and I got to show him around the exhibition of hers and @kuba_ryniewicz work at @balticgateshead. taken in Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by @tishmurtha

2k

72

3 months ago

For years, my focus was simple. I just wanted my mam’s work to get the recognition it deserved. I poured so much of myself into that goal that I never stopped to think about what it might feel like if it actually happened.
Now that it has, it’s very complicated. Seeing her work celebrated is wonderful, but alongside the pride, there’s also a deep sadness that she isn't here to see it, which I’m still trying to come to terms with.
After the books went out of print, people kept asking if I’d ever make another one. For a long time, I just wasn’t ready. I needed some distance before I could return to the work in a way that felt right. But the requests never stopped and it was always Youth Unemployment that people wanted. So I’m bringing it back. In a new format, with a team I trust and respect because this body of work is too important to stay out of print. It deserves to reach new eyes, and to be seen again by anyone ready to experience it differently.
The original book was what first caught the attention of @britishculturearchive. At first, they just loved the work, but over time, that connection grew into something much deeper. A collaboration that has meant so much to me over the years. When the time came to bring this new edition into the world, there was no one else I wanted to publish it with.

It has been a joy working with our amazing designer, Friederike Huber @fredshub her expert eye, thoughtful layouts, and incredible attention to detail have brought Vandalism on a Grand Scale to life in the most beautiful way.

Huge thanks to my brilliant friend Jen Corcoran @ohnococo_ who is clever, thoughtful, creative and full of heart ❤️ Her essay about my mam’s legacy is beautiful, nuanced, and everything I could have hoped for. I cherish her talent and insight.

Here’s me mam’s favourite photo from the series 'Cops Piss Off', my favourite photo of us together, Glenn in the Window and the new cover. I am completely obsessed with the cover material, it feels sooooo lush and I can’t wait for you all to see it.

Ella
x

Vandalism on a Grand Scale by Tish Murtha.
Available exclusively through British Culture Archive. Link in bio. by @tishmurtha

5k

86

7 months ago

❄️ Sam Fender Winter: Activated ❄️

People Watching Deluxe is out today, and this whole album has felt like the most beautiful fever dream. Every note, every lyric, and seeing Tish’s spirit woven into the covers… it stops me in my tracks every single time. 💚✨

@sam_fender, thank you for seeing the magic in her eye, and for choosing her photographs for your artwork. It means more than I could ever put into words. I’m so proud of me mam, of you, and of the incredible band you’ve built with so much love and talent. Big love to @od_management and @sarahsmitch, and endless gratitude to @semerakhan and @teovillacci for the thoughtful, careful creative design. And a special shout-out to @dacsforartists for helping make all of this possible.

Thank you all for this dream I got to live.
🤍🖤

#SamFender #PeopleWatching
#PeopleWatchingDeluxe #TishMurtha taken in Elswick, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom by @tishmurtha

2k

24

10 months ago

A selection of the most collected Tish Murtha photographs of the year.

Tish Editions are available exclusive to BCA. Link to full collection in bio.

(L to R)

1. Richard and Louise (Elswick Kids, 1978)

2. Alleyway, Kenilworth Road (Juvenile Jazz Bands, 1979)

3. SuperMac (Elswick Kids, 1978)

4. Kids Jumping onto Mattresses (Youth Unemployment, 1981)

5. Glenn on the wall (Elswick Kids, 1978)

Photos Tish Murtha © Ella Murtha. All rights reserved. taken in Newcastle upon Tyne by @tishmurtha

7k

44

10 months ago

Mala and Sue by Tish Murtha
From the series Elswick Kids (1978)

This limited edition print is part of a run of just 50, created in collaboration with the @tishmurtha archive. Each edition is hand-numbered and comes with a stamped certificate of authenticity.

© Ella Murtha. All rights reserved.

🔗 Explore the full Tish Murtha collection. Link in bio.

Follow @bcaprints to stay updated on our latest print releases and exclusive editions.

#ValentinesDay #BCAEditions #TishMurtha by @tishmurtha

3k

17

8 months ago

Tish Murtha’s iconic photographs feature on the album People Watching by Sam Fender.

To celebrate the Mercury Prize winning album and the powerful collaboration between music and photography, we’ve been holding a one-off 10% print sale on all Tish Murtha edition prints.

**Today is the final day — offer ends midnight, Sunday 26th October**

Use promo code TISH10 at final checkout.
Link in bio to view the full collection.

—

Photos (L to R)

1. Cruddas Park, from the series Juvenile Jazz Bands (1979)

2. Girls Skipping, from the series Elswick Kids (1978)

3. Karen Moving Furniture, from the series Youth Unemployment (1981)

4. Muggers Corner, from the series Elswick Kids (1978)

All photos by Tish Murtha © Ella Murtha, all rights reserved.

#TishMurtha #SamFender #PeopleWatching #MercuryPrize #BritishCultureArchive #DocumentaryPhotography #TishEditions #bcaeditions by @tishmurtha

3k

16

a year ago