Photographs by Tom Wood: Cammell Laird Shipyard 1993 – 1996

Tom Wood’s photographs of Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead taken between 1993 and 1996, were originally commissioned by the Documentary Photography Archive (DPA) to capture a definitive phase in the social and political history of the region.

Twenty five years on, it is the first time that these photographs of the Cammell Laird Shipyard have been shown in their home town. The images will be accompanied by archive material relating to the history of the shipyard drawn from the Williamson’s own collection and Wirral Archives. Wood was commissioned by the DPA to photograph the working lives of the men who built the ships as they were fighting to save the yard, and the shipyard prior to its closure after 170 years in Birkenhead.

When the business re-opened as a repair yard, Wood was able to gain further access to photograph the next phase of the industry’s life. The images in the exhibition are due to be published by Steidl in a three volume publication, edited by our fellow exhibitor -photographer, Cian Quayle later this year and the Williamson hopes to host a book launch.