What Presence! McManus exhibition shows what was acceptable in the eighties

A major new photography exhibition is bringing the 1980s post-punk music scene back to the people of Dundee.

The McManus was packed last night for the launch of What Presence!, showcasing the work of legendary Scottish music photographer Harry Papadopoulos.

Featuring more than 300 images shot between 1979 and 1984, subjects of his work include the Clash, Orange Juice and Dundee’s Billy Mackenzie, of the Associates.

Crowds also enjoyed a live performance by Ken McCluskey, formerly of the Bluebells, at the opening.

Billy Gartley, cultural services manager at Leisure and Culture Dundee, which operates the gallery with Dundee City Council, said the exhibition had attracted new audiences to the venue.

He said: “This is quite a deviation from some of our other exhibits so it is great to have so many people attend.”

Social history curator Rhona Rodger added: “This work is still art and photographs but it has a lot more social history to it. A lot of people here were involved in the Dundee music scene and went to some of the performances photographed.”

The exhibition will run until Sunday August 11.