Brighton-based Geordie Ewen Spencer, asides from being a bloody lovely chap, is a damn fine photographer. Making his name at magazines like The Face, Spencer regularly works for the likes of Nike, Channel 4 and Umbro; he’s also travelled the world with The White Stripes, and amongst all of that he’s spent the last 15 years documenting British youth culture. Which brings us neatly on to this forthcoming exhibition at Leeds’ White Cloth Gallery, entitled: England’s Dreaming.

Chronicling much of his youth-oriented work during this period – from 6th form discos to the emergence of grime culture – England’s Dreaming is a captivating insight into being young in modern Britain. Refreshingly, the shoot-from-the-hip scruffiness of Larry Clark or Ryan McGinley’s visions of American youth culture are done away with, in place of legible production and an authoritative aesthetic; it’s an interesting contrast to quintessentially ‘yoof’ photography.

Overall, Spencer’s vision of young England never dwells on misery or degradation, but celebrates its vivaciousness and buoyancy, whatever it may be facing.

Englands Dreaming,
6th Form disco, Rossendale,
Lancashire, 2000

Englands Dreaming,
Newham,
London 2008

Englands Dreaming,
Mike Skinner,
Norbury, 2001

Englands Dreaming,
Newham Station,
London, 2008

Englands Dreaming,
Rave, Old Kent Rd,
London 1999

Englands Dreaming,
Dan Dan, Peckham,
London 2008