A significant body of work by the late Joseph McKenzie, widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Scottish Photography,” is set to be offered at auction this May, as his son Frank McKenzie advances plans to open a new gallery dedicated to his father’s legacy later this year.
The archive will be offered during the Art & Design Sale on 21st May at Cheffins Fine Art Auctioneers in Cambridge. Comprising of ten of McKenzie’s iconic photographs, the archive could achieve over £20,000, the proceeds of which will be used to promote the remaining archive of work.
Frank McKenzie, entrepreneur and founder of luxury resale platform Xupes, has spent more than four decades championing his father’s work internationally. Since 1984, he has facilitated acquisitions by major institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum and engaged directly with influential figures such as John Szarkowski of the Museum of Modern Art. Szarkowski notably remarked on McKenzie’s work: “I can’t believe the quality of this work came out of Europe… persevere as his time will come.”
Joseph McKenzie rose to prominence in the 1950s, 60s and 70s for his portrayal of social conditions across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A former member of the RAF during World War II, he later taught photography at Central Saint Martins and played a key role in elevating photography from a documentary medium to a recognised art form. He would then go on to teach at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, where acclaimed photographers Albert Watson and Calum Colvin were his students.
His work documented communities in Glasgow’s Gorbals, post-war Dundee, and Dunfermline, capturing stark realities of poverty and resilience. He became the first photographer to receive an award from the Scottish Arts Council.
However, his career took a dramatic turn in 1972 following the exhibition “Hibernian Images,” a controversial body of work examining the divisions between Northern and Southern Ireland during the Troubles. Criticised for its outspoken stance on British involvement, the exhibition faced censorship attempts, with institutions heavily redacting the politically charged statement which accompanied the exhibition, as written from McKenzie’s experiences during his visits to Ireland. In response, McKenzie withdrew from public exhibitions entirely. McKenzie, however, went on to open the first private gallery of photography at his home in Tayport. Visitations were by appointment only and the gallery closed in 1980.
Across his lifetime, McKenzie produced approximately 40,000 black-and-white prints, alongside 6,500 poems, an autobiography and extensive diaries. Yet much of his archive remains undigitised, existing only as negatives. Proceeds from the upcoming auction will fund the preservation and digitisation of this vast archive, as well as support the launch of a new gallery dedicated to his work, scheduled to open in October in Hertfordshire.
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Beatles Girl, The Gorbals
Highlights of the sale include one of the Hibernian images, “Comics on the Barricade, Falls, Belfast, 1969” which is the first of a limited edition of five pictures. It was exhibited during the controversial show in 1972 and was taken around Falls Road, the main artery of West Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition, there is a unique, one-of-a-kind photograph depicting a young girl from the Gorbals alongside her sister, wearing a Beatles dress. Frank McKenzie has also located the original dress, which will be sold alongside the photograph with an estimated value of £6,000–£8,000.
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Comics on the Barricade, Falls, Belfast, 1969
Frank McKenzie commented: “I’ve spent my life ensuring my father’s work receives the recognition it deserves. This sale is not just about collectors, rather it is about preserving an important part of visual history and making it accessible for future generations.”
Martin Millard, Director at Cheffins comments: “Joseph McKenzie stands among the most talented photographers of the 20th century. His work captures the lived realities of disadvantaged communities with extraordinary clarity and humanity, producing images that remain as powerful today as when they were first created. They offer a striking window into some of the UK’s most deprived areas during that period, conveying both hardship and resilience, often through deeply moving depictions of childhood. They hold significant appeal not only for photography collectors but also for those interested in Britain’s social history. Frank McKenzie has shown remarkable dedication in championing his father’s legacy, and we are pleased to support him in bringing this important body of work back to market and into public recognition.”
Selections from the archive have recently been exhibited at major events including LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, London Art Fair and Photo London.
Auction: The Art & Design Sale, 21st May 2026
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, [email protected]