A new exhibition at Four Corners in London sheds light on a remarkable body of work by the late photographer Joyce Edwards. A Hampstead landlady turned passionate documentarian, Edwards ventured into London’s East End nearly 50 years ago to photograph the young squatters of the ‘Triangle’ streets, who were transforming derelict houses into vibrant, if precarious, homes.
The images are among a substantial legacy of fine photographic prints that were discovered after Edwards’ death in 2023, at the age of 99.
The exhibition brings together Edwards’ compelling portraits of the musicians, painters, actors, students, radicals and local people who occupied the squats, alongside photographs taken by the squatters themselves that capture the creativity of Triangle life.
The squatters’ story is one of resilience and determination. The community of the Triangle established a Housing Co-op, convincing the Greater London Council to sell them the freeholds to the properties. Today the Grand Union Housing Co-op continues to thrive.
A Story of Squatters runs until 20 March and is free to all. Find out more here.