Photo-opportunity During Territorial Army Exercise
- Artist: Chris Steele-Perkins
- Date: 1980–9
- Medium: Photograph, dye destruction on paper
- Dimensions: image: 255 x 382 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Photo-opportunity During Territorial Army Exercise” by Chris Steele‑Perkins. It’s one of forty‑four colour Cibachrome photographs from his 1980–9 series *The Pleasure Principle*, which shows everyday British leisure—youth culture, sport, countryside games and even a portrait of Margaret Thatcher. Each image is printed on paper using dye destruction, giving a vivid, almost hand‑printed look that feels alive. Steele‑Perkins said he wanted to re‑orientate himself after returning from abroad, looking at the rituals people perform in pursuit of happiness. In this photograph you see a National Territorial Army drill rehearsal with soldiers and civilians mingling; it captures the moment where public ritual meets personal joy. The piece sits in Tate Britain’s Modern and Contemporary British Art wing, reflecting how 1980s Britain was both celebratory and introspective.
See it in person
Photo-opportunity During Territorial Army Exercise is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
