Born in the northern coastal town of South Shields, Tish Murtha was driven by a fierce conviction to record the impact of Thatcher era de-industrialisation upon local communities. Her striking black and white photos would become a powerful record of a world decimated by a new and ruthless form of capitalism. In this deeply personal documentary, BIFA-winning director Paul Sng (The Great Social Housing Swindle) crafts an intimate portrait of an artist whose work demands to be rediscovered and recognised.

Join us on Wednesday 24th January for a special Q&A screening with the film’s director, Paul Sng.

Reviews

‘The film is handsome, but Sng keeps nudging the spotlight away from his own creative decisions: back towards the photographs, and the presence on-camera of Murtha’s daughter, Ella, a sensitive interviewer of friends and colleagues.’
★★★★★
Danny Leigh, The FT

‘Paul Sng’s documentary Tish is one of the best British films of 2023 – both a heartfelt tribute to the life and work of the late photographer Tish (born Patricia) Murtha and a timely reminder of the war waged on the nation’s industrial working-class.’
★★★★
Graham Fuller, The Arts Desk