Jean Straker, Figure study

At the heart of the West End, Soho has always been London’s playground. As far back as the 17th century, where it’s name allegedly originated as a hunting call, to its modern designation as a hub of gay & straight nightlife, it’s been a haven for wild times (not least due to its longstanding rep as hooker central). One of its highlights must, however, be its central role in the dual creative and sexual explosions in the post-war period, and the upcoming Soho Archives: 1950s & 1960s exhibition at The Photographer's Gallery explores this through the eyes of the paparazzo, the artist and the voyeur.

David Hurn, Strip club dressing room Soho London. Wimbledon tennis on the TV, 1965

David Hurn, who cut his teeth providing reportage from the Hungarian war in ’56, here gives an backstage insight into the world of SW1 stripperdom. His images show the girls in mundane and sexless situations, such as eating dinner and sleeping on the couch.

David Hurn, 'Soho Model' says the name by the side of the street door bell, 1965

They remove a layer of glamour and yet are still somehow erotic... maybe because they have tits in them. No, it’s more than that – by placing girls that are effectively actors into plausible situations (in contrast to fornicating with aluminium poles under soft lighting), they become real and the images voyeuristic.

Jean Straker, Figure study

Jean Straker started nobly, providing photography of surgical procedures to document the new medical techniques emerging during WWII. Leaving commercial photography in 1951 to pursue personal works, he set up the Visual Arts Club. As part of this, he organised nude photography shoots for members. Despite this being pretty similar in practice to life drawing classes, our sensibilities were shocked and he was prosecuted in ‘62 under the Obscene Publications Act.

Of course, scandal breeds popularity, and consequently a collection of his images, Nudes of Jean Straker, were published as one of the first photographic art books in 1958. Despite the use of props and poses, his images speak honestly about sexual fetishes to an audience increasingly unashamed.

Billy Hill, self-styled ‘King of Soho’, 1958

Sixties Soho wasn’t just scandalised by tits and ass however, because strip clubs and sex shops need racketeers and gangsters. Underworld figures like Billy Hill, who coached the Kray twins, roamed the streets of W1, and the Daily Herald were there to capture it. The image here (with original crop marks from the picture desk) shows him aboard the Liner Southern Cross after returning from Australia, where he was refused permission to land.

Soho Shooting. Police outside the Bus Stop Club (formally known as The Grill), Dean Street, 1963.

The Daily Herald was the world’s most popular paper in its heyday, but it has now been all but forgotten after competition from more conservative publications forced closure. It’s 1964 relaunch in the form of a red-topped tabloid is better remembered, and The Sun’s market dominance has continued to the present day.

The Soho Archives: 1950s & 1960s exhibition runs from 26 Sept until 16 Nov at the Photographer’s Gallery. Admission is free, and it is the last show at their present home at 5 Great Newport Street, so now you have another reason to visit.

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