Dispatches from the Culture War: homosexuality, blasphemy, and obscenity in British media

This exhibition explores discourses in British media from the late 1970s to early 1980s. The objects displayed are taken from the archive of the National Viewers and Listeners Association (NVALA) which was run by right-wing morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse from her home in Ardleigh, near Colchester. Her proximity to the local area led to her appearing twice in Essex student newspapers over the years.

'Dispatches from the Culture War: homosexuality, blasphemy, and obscenity in British media' seeks to re-examine items from the NVALA archive through a queer lens.

Through the artefacts in the archive, we can understand Whitehouse’s position as part of a broader narrative of discussion around obscenity and censorship in late twentieth century Britain. The questions posed by these historical documents around representation, censorship, and technology are still relevant today.

Curated by University of Essex BA Curating final year student, Tilly Hawkins.

View the exhibition on the Level Two Landing of the Albert Sloman Library.