The upcoming exhibition ‘The Face Magazine: Culture Shift’ explores the influential role of The Face magazine in shaping British youth culture from the 1980s to today.
The National Portrait Gallery is set to host a major exhibition entitled “The Face Magazine: Culture Shift,” which will run from February 20 to May 18, 2025. This exhibition celebrates the influential role that The Face magazine played in documenting and shaping British youth culture from its launch in the early ’80s through the subsequent decades.
Originating just after Margaret Thatcher took office and amid the burgeoning punk movement, The Face was characterized by its unique blend of serious journalism and striking photography, capturing the diverse trends of that era. Jamie Morgan, who worked on “Winter Sports” for the magazine, is among more than 200 contributors whose work will be showcased in the exhibition. The magazine emerged during a period marked by cultural clashes, social protests, and evolving fashion landscapes, primarily arising from community hubs such as Kensington Market.
The exhibition includes poignant comments reflecting on the dedication of the contributors. “Nobody worked for The Face for the money, you did it because you believed in the magazine and for the creative freedom that came with that belief,” one quote recalls, encapsulating the passionate and earnest approach adopted by the creators during a time of affordable housing and community-oriented living.
As The Face evolved throughout the ’90s, it adapted to include the emerging influence of technologies, moving from street photography towards more polished studio shoots. This shift paralleled the changing nature of music and culture, as acid house began to dominate over grunge and a spirited celebration of hedonism took the forefront. The magazine’s editorial choices broadened to feature various pop culture icons, including a notable edition that placed footballer David Beckham on its cover, further blurring the lines between celebrity status in sports and fashion.
The narrative of The Face is also reflective of broader societal changes, from its peak during the mid-’90s to overcoming a precarious legal situation involving misrepresented content. After being acquired by a larger publisher and later restructured, the magazine continued to redefine itself through shifting fashion trends and creative expressions.
Throughout its run, The Face remained a counterpoint to mainstream fashion publications, which were often critiqued for becoming excessively commercialized. Instead, it focused on radical and experimental approaches in its portrayal of youth culture, celebrating individuality and challenging conventional beauty standards.
As the exhibition prepares to focus on the legacy of The Face, it will juxtapose the evolution of visual culture with the rapid advancements in technology and shifts in societal norms. Iconic photographs, such as Norbert Schoerner’s glamorous depiction of Kylie Minogue, also provide a lens into the magazine’s impact on contemporary views of celebrity and fashion.
The exhibition promises to offer an immersive experience, spotlighting the influence of The Face through a distinctive and rebellious lens that resonates with generations past and present, inviting audiences to reflect on the changing landscape of youth culture. Tickets will cost £23, or £25.50 with a donation, and entry will be free for members of the gallery.
Source: Noah Wire Services
