Photo-punk: 40 images from the birth of punk by Ian Dickson and Kevin Cummins
This exhibition has now closed.
22 November 2016 to 5 March 2017
Prints & Drawings Gallery
A new display at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery will explore the birth of UK punk through 40 photographs by Kevin Cummins and Ian Dickson, as the music, fashion and cultural movement celebrates its 40th anniversary.


The display, in Brighton Museum’s Prints & Drawings Gallery, will survey Cummins’ and Dickson’s work as they documented the first waves of the new ‘dole queue rock’, capturing the bands, the fans and the mood.
Exhibiting together for the first time, these vanguard photographers created extraordinary images of new wave bands including The Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Clash, Buzzcocks and Siouxsie & the Banshees, as well as punk poet John Cooper Clarke and catalyst bands like Eddie & the Hot Rods and New York’s The Ramones. As the scene grew they captured the swell of new energy and talent, from The Adverts, The Slits and X-Ray Spex to Slaughter & the Dogs and Joy Division.
The images will be displayed alongside punk memorabilia lent by Kevin Cummins, and the 1977 film Punk in London. A distinctive stage outfit worn by Brighton resident Captain Sensible of The Damned will also on display, along with a Gibson guitar heavily used at the band’s gigs.
Free with Brighton Museum admission
Related event
Class of ’76 – Bite-size Museum pop-up short talk
24 January 2017, 12pm (free with admission, members and residents free, drop-in),
Brighton Museum
A special opportunity to hear photographer Ian Dickson discuss his recollections and work included in the Photo-Punk display.
Images, Sounds and Words
- See photos from the exhibition
- Listen to the Photo-punk playlist
- Read the story behind the exhibition
- Buy the limited edition poster from our online shop