An exhibition showcasing stunning photographs of working life in Norwich’s factories after World War II has opened at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. The photographs, taken by photographer Walter Nurnberg, were almost forgotten in archives but were rediscovered and moved to the gallery walls. Dr. Nick Warr, a lecturer in art history and curation, was approached to conserve a photographic album of workers at the Edwards & Holmes shoe factory, which led to the discovery of a whole archive of high-quality photographs by Nurnberg. Nurnberg had been a celebrated advertising photographer before he embarked on a two-decade-long project documenting the industries of Britain. He visited Norwich four times and captured the workers at the Edwards & Holmes shoe factory, Boulton and Paul, and the Mackintosh-Caley chocolate factory, among others. His wife, Rita, processed and printed all his negatives.
The exhibition aims to not only showcase the photographs but also to identify the people featured in them. During a public talk about the photographs, an audience member recognized her grandfather in one of the images. The curators hope that this exhibition will help to identify other individuals who were captured in Nurnberg’s photographs. The photographs are distinctive for their vivid and empathetic portrayal of Norwich factory workers. The exhibition, curated by Dr. Warr and Dr. Simon Dell, will run until April 14.
The rediscovery and showcasing of these photographs provide a valuable glimpse into the working life of Norwich’s factories after the trauma of World War II. Nurnberg’s photographs capture the hands and faces of workers in a stylized, monochrome composition, bringing the past to life in the present. The exhibition not only serves as a reminder of the industrial history of Norwich but also pays tribute to the workers who contributed to the city’s economy. By highlighting the stories of these workers, the exhibition allows visitors to connect with the past and appreciate the labor that went into the factories that once stood in Norwich. With their vibrant and captivating depiction of post-war Norwich industry, the photographs by Nurnberg offer a unique and captivating insight into the lives of factory workers in the city.
