Photo exhibition shows street life in the 1970s

An art exhibition is documenting the experiences of Chilean refugees who fled to Hull in the 1970s to escape persecution by the country's dictatorship.

Cold Junction features the work of father and son photographers Luis Bustamante and Sebastian Bustamante.

Luis came to the city in 1974 after General Augusto Pinochet overthrew Chile’s elected president Salvador Allende.

Pinochet's regime targeted Allende supporters with a campaign of kidnappings, torture and murders.

Mr Bustamante was one of 30 Chilean exiles who relocated to Hull in the wake of the military coup.

While studying at the University of Hull he began to document life in the area.

“The camera had two purposes," Mr Bustamante said.

"It was a connection with a new life and a shield that enabled me to look at it."

He added that he was delighted that his work was going on display in his adopted city.

"The city of Hull and its surrounding areas have played such an important role in my life and work as an artist.”

His work features everyday street life in the 1970s as well as historical events, such as the building of the Humber Bridge.

The exhibition at Artlink 87 Gallery on Princes Avenue also features the work of Sebastian, who works as an artist, curator and researcher.

He has produced a project which features objects, photographs and video about the Chilean exiles.

Sebastian Bustamante said: "It’s important to both me and Luis to bring this work back to Hull.

"To reconnect with the city which was so important to my parents when they had to flee their country, to explore my family history and to be able to tell the story of a country providing people with safe refuge following periods of violence."

The exhibition runs until 14 September.

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