Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

Sirkka was signing a new edition of her classic book, Byker at the Side Photographic Gallery this evening, so I went along to say ‘hello’ …

Sirkka is a Finnish-born photographer and filmmaker and a founder member of the Amber Film and Photography Collective and the Side Photographic Gallery based in Newcastle. And she’s a wonderful woman too …

Originally published in 1983 by Jonathan Cape, Sirkka’s Byker is recognised as a modern classic of photography. She documented a close-knit community in Newcastle in an area that was her home for 7 years and which was destined for wholesale redevelopment. The work gained national recognition as a key photographic account of a rich working class culture on the eve of its destruction. 


Hope all is well with you and yours …