Ingrid Pollard, a renowned British artist celebrated for her powerful work documenting Black British life, is trying to reconnect with a group of teenage boys she photographed in 1989 at Tulse Hill School in south London. Pollard was invited to the school to take portraits of the students, and now, more than three decades later, these images will be displayed for the first time in a major gallery exhibition. The portraits, which capture the boys in their youth, are set to be featured in The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition at Tate Britain. Tulse Hill School closed a year after Pollard took the photos, making these portraits not only a reflection of the boys’ lives in the 1980s but also a final snapshot of the school itself.

Pollard, who has often wondered where her subjects ended up, is eager to track down some of the boys, who are now likely in their 40s or 50s. “I’ve often, far more recently, wondered what they’re still doing, if they’re still in south London. They might be out of the UK, anything,” Pollard shared. She believes that if she finds some of the boys, they may recall names or friendships from their school days. Despite reaching out to their former English teacher, who doesn’t remember, Pollard remains hopeful.

This exhibition marks a significant moment in Pollard’s career, as it's the first time this set of images will be shown in a major gallery. Pollard was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2022 and, in 2023, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to art. Her work will be displayed alongside that of 70 other photographers in the exhibition, which runs from 21 November 2024 to 5 May 5 2025. The 80s: Photographing Britain offers a comprehensive view of the Margaret Thatcher years through nearly 350 photographs, from John Davies’ industrial landscapes to Tish Murtha’s poignant images of youth unemployment in Newcastle.

For Pollard, this exhibition is an opportunity to revisit a crucial moment in her career and to reflect on the lives of the boys she photographed - a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the lasting impact of art.

The 80s: Photographing Britain is at Tate Britain from 21 November 2024 to 5 May 2025.