Old Bristol Harbour

Photographer Jem Southam captured Bristol docks forty-odd years ago, before redevelopment:

Bristol is having a moment, with many flocking to its centre, leaving London in favour of a smaller artistic city, but few know of its past as a historic harbour city. Thankfully British landscape photographer Jem Southam has revived its legacy with the launch of a new photography book titled The Harbour which features a selection of images shot over 40 years ago before the redevelopment of its harbour.

Southam began the project after understanding his personal affiliation to Bristol: "One morning in 1978, I heard the sound of crashing metal which drew me to the window, where I saw a group of men tearing down a warehouse. My grandfather had spent his working life as a shipping clerk in the docks, managing the unloading and distribution of goods, such as guano brought all the way from the coast of Chile."

Seeing the city's evolution and knowing its grounding in his family's legacy, Southam felt compelled to capture its transition and watch as it transformed into another era.

Having listened to his grandfather reminisce on his time working in the docks, Southam said: "I wanted to document the last remains of the architectural landscape of the docks before they were gone or transformed beyond recognition."

With Bristol's harbour now packed with eateries and watersport activities, it paints a different scene to that depicted in Southam's book.

Bristol Sand and Gravel offices 1980 © Jem Southam