Bonington Gallery presents A Semester in Nottingham, 1976, an exhibition of photographs by American photographer and videographer John Dean.
In the Spring of 1976, Dean was a 20 year old visiting student from the Maryland Institute College of Art, taking part in an exchange programme with Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University). During his short visit, he created a powerful body of work that captures Nottingham during a year of profound social and economic change.
Armed with a camera and quiet curiosity, Dean immersed himself in the rhythms of Nottingham life. Over the course of a single semester, he wandered the city’s streets and parks — Hyson Green, Market Square, the Arboretum — capturing striking black-and-white portraits of residents going about their daily lives. The resulting images are both documentary and deeply personal, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of Nottingham residents during this transformative era.
The exhibition marks a significant homecoming to the institution where Dean studied fifty years ago. Now, half a century on, these photographs will be exhibited in the UK for the first time, in the city where they were made.
First developed in Trent’s own darkrooms (still situated next door to Bonington Gallery, in the School of Art & Design), these photographs have remained largely unseen for decades. Now, they return to the place of their origin, standing as a testament to the power of observational storytelling, told through the eyes of a visitor to the city.
John Dean has since built a distinguished career as a producer and videographer, creating historical and educational media for museums and non-profit organisations across the United States. Yet photography remains his first and most enduring creative language — a medium through which he continues to explore the intersections of memory, environment, and human experience.
John Dean is a Baltimore-based photographer, videographer who graduated with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
He regularly works with museums, non-profit organisations and editorial platforms on the creation of educational and historical media and content. In addition to his institutional work, John’s independent photographic practice has taken him around the world, exploring historic and cultural sites, including excavation sites in Greece and sacred spaces in Istanbul.
Current work includes photography for the 111 Places Guides, a series of books published by Emons Verlag.
John worked on 111 Places in Baltimore That You Must Not Miss and 111 Places in Washington DC That You Must Not Miss. As a mentor and arts advocate, John is consistently guided by a curiosity for human stories.
John Dean
A Semester in Nottingham, 1976
21 March – 9 May 2026
Launch: Friday 20 March 2026, 6-8pm