London’s Ours: 1980s campaigns by Greater London Council
London’s Ours: 1980s campaigns by Greater London Council
Wednesday 2 September 2026 at 6.30pm
The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ
Join the author Hazel Atashroo as she introduces her new book London’s Ours! Images From The Greater London Council 1981–1986 in conversation with Rosamund Lily West.
In the early 1980s the Greater London Council embarked upon a radical experiment in how to run the city, which transformed British politics. Campaigning and energetic, the GLC made extensive use of poster campaigns, public art and popular events to take aim against racism, sexism, nuclear war – and eventually, their own abolition.
The book documents the remarkable visual culture of the GLC, with over 250 images. Sometimes confrontational, frequently humorous, it provides a unique picture of a remarkable period in British politics and of London itself.
London’s Ours! Images From The Greater London Council 1981–1986 was published by Four Corners Books earlier this year. The book will be available for purchase at the event.
Hazel Atashroo is a cultural historian and artist with specialisms in cultural policy, the cultural industries and the visual and material culture of social movement activism.
Rosamund Lily West is a curator and historian. She currently leads Contextual Studies at KLC School of Design, West Dean and lectures at UAL. Previously, she has worked at Manchester School of Architecture and the Survey of London.
If you can't make it in person, there's an online version of the event too.
C20 Society Member £11;
Non-Member £16;
Young C20 member + guest Free*;
Student + guest £5 **
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
**For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.
Includes a glass of wine
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Note: This event is hybrid and is being run both in-person at Cowcross Street Gallery and online via Zoom. The event will be recorded and offered as a catch-up lecture for those who have booked and will be available for two weeks.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider and is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: London's Ours (Four Corners Books, 2026) and Poster from GLC Peace Posters Pack (Peter Kennard, 1983).