Taking Liberties
John Hoppy Hopkins

'Taking Liberties' was a retrospective of the photographic work of John 'Hoppy' Hopkins from the period 1960 to 1966. The work captures the ethos and style of the emerging counter-culture, which was expressed through music, popular protest and art.

Included are iconic images of musicians including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on their first wave of stardom. A unique series of images capture historic meetings with civil rights leaders Dr Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, whilst another set show CND marches and anti-racist demonstrations.

'Hoppy' (born 1937) is a British photographer, video-maker and political activist, who was a highly influential figure in the UK underground movement in London. In 1965 he helped set up the 'London Free School' in Notting Hill. This in turn led to the establishment of the annual Notting Hill Carnival. He also helped set up the legendary UFO Night Club with Joe Boyd, with Pink Floyd as the resident band.

Now in his 70's, there have only been 3 major surveys of his photographic work – in 2000 at the Photographers' Gallery, London, in June 2009 at Idea Generation, also in London, and in late 2009 at Street Level Photoworks in Glasgow.

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