Our Freedom: Then and Now nationwide pictures exhibition

Bracknell Library is delighted to current highlights from the UK-wide Our Freedom: Then and Now mission with a vibrant nationwide pictures exhibition. You can go to the exhibition at Bracknell Library from Friday 27 March to Thursday 16 April.

The exhibition will probably be obtainable to view on-line from Wednesday 18 March 2026.

About the exhibition

The exhibition brings collectively pictures from 60 regionally led tasks from communities throughout the UK, marking 80 years for the reason that finish of the Second World War.

The exhibition will open on the Southbank Centre in London after which tour 18 arts centres and libraries throughout the UK – from Exeter to Inverness, and Ipswich to Belfast.

In whole, it options 22 photographers who collaborated with communities of all ages and backgrounds, inviting individuals to mirror on their very own histories, experiences and identities.

Visit the Our Freedom: Then and Now exhibition to see the record of collaborating photographers.

Bracknell ‘Freedom Trees’

The exhibition will embody our ‘Freedom Trees’ mission. Working with native individuals, we explored the theme of freedom by means of the long-lasting bushes of Bracknell Forest. ‘Freedom Trees’ are actually on show throughout all our libraries, embellished with leaves that includes photos and phrases that specific what freedom means to the local people. 

Our contribution now sits alongside 59 different tasks to kind a robust nationwide portrait of individuals, place and belonging. 

We are proud to see our neighborhood’s story represented inside this nationwide exhibition and to welcome audiences to expertise this collective reflection on freedom — then and now.

The groups behind the mission

Our Freedom: Then and Now is delivered by Future Arts Centres in partnership with Libraries Connected. It is supported utilizing public funding by the UK Government by means of Arts Council England. 

The exhibition is produced by Future Arts Centres, Open Eye Gallery and the Socially Engaged Photography Network.

Photo of Colchester Arts Centre by Sophie Ellen Lachowycz. You can see extra of Sophie’s work on Instagram. The bunting was created in neighborhood workshops with artist Clare Marsh.