An exhibition by documentary photographer Polly Braden in collaboration with young people in coastal towns across England and Wales
This summer, Arnolfini presents Against the Tide, a new exhibition by documentary photographer Polly Braden, created in collaboration with young people growing up in some of the most deprived and often forgotten places across England and Wales.
Known for her intimate, long-term collaborations, Polly Braden’s work focuses on overlooked communities and social issues, and her distinctive style combines quiet observation with deep empathy.
Against the Tide is a project led by Braden in collaboration with journalist Lisa Bachelor as part of The Guardian’s Seascape series. The pair have spent more than a year visiting coastal locations, talking to young people about their lives and what matters to them. The result is a layered picture of coastal England and Wales today that goes beyond the usual, negative portrayals and which shines a light on the hope that is sometimes hidden from public view.
Across intimate portraits and first-hand testimony, Against the Tide brings audiences face-to-face with a generation navigating life at the sharp edge of inequality, while also imagining something different. Alongside accounts of isolation and lack of opportunity are expressions of resilience, ambition and hope, and a clear message: coastal towns are not just sites of decline, but places of creativity and possibility.
Spanning places that include Weston-super-Mare, Scarborough, Grimsby, Southend, Portsmouth, Whitehaven, Tendring, Rhyl and Blackpool, Against the Tide reveals a side of coastal Britain rarely seen in national narratives.
Developed over a year through sustained collaboration with 16–25-year-olds across these towns, Braden’s work moves beyond observation, offering a platform for young people to express their ideas and experiences, and to form new connections with peers in other coastal locations.
Against the Tide is supported by Arts Council England and by The Guardian’s Seascape series, University College London and University of Lancashire.
Following the presentation at Arnolfini, the exhibition tours to Firstsite, Colchester.
Image credit: Against the Tide, Weston Super Mare, Polly Braden, 2025. © Polly Braden
About the Artist
Polly Braden
Polly Braden is a documentary photographer based in London, known for her intimate, long-term collaborations. Her work focuses on overlooked communities and social issues, including learning disabilities, single parenthood, and…
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