The DPA

The Documentary Photographic Archive (DPA) which was formally established in 1985, and its trustees were keen from the outset to commission photographers to document particular aspects of contemporary life in the North West of England. The DPA had a clear vision of what they wanted. They were looking for photographers of vision and natural ability, who did not work within the traditions of the record and survey movement.

Recognising that photographers have progressed beyond the portrayal of simple factual information, they sought photographers whose work was a deliberately personal and subjective interpretation, whose pictures "comment, suggest, insinuate and appeal to the emotions."

In choosing its commissions, the DPA focused on the more mundane and routine aspects of life, which are traditionally not well recorded-such as Clement Cooper's work in the African-Caribbean communities of Manchester. It also offered alternative perspectives on some well-worn themes.

The DPA adopted a policy of maintaining written records documenting the image content and detailing photographers' approaches and responses to their subjects. So the entire body of material produced during the course of the commission was kept - negatives, contact prints, work and exhibition prints, and the written record. That way, the process of how the commission developed, and how the photographers worked, was fully documented.

The DPA commissioned Clement Cooper (22 years of age) to complete work on the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ, The Robin Hood pub and Young People in Moss Side, Rusholme, Hulme & Longsight for the exhibition and publication.

The Clement Cooper archive now includes approximately: 1000 black & white negatives; 400 work prints including over five hours of stereophonic audio recordings.

Selections from this work together with photographs taken in The Robin Hood,Youth Clubs and the Bethel United Church appeared in an exhibition toured by Cornerhouse and in the book entitled PRESENCE published by Cornerhouse publications in 1988.

Series first broadcast on: 23 October 1987. The Hideaway Youth Club, Moss Side. Manchester.

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