Helen McGhie - Photographic Artist

ABOUT

I am a photographer, practice-based researcher and Senior Lecturer in the School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University. My creative research explores the still, moving and sonic image to create new encounters with photography, often in non-art contexts, to engage diverse audiences in new, unexpected ways.

My work investigates how photography practice can foster meaningful relationships with partners and communities, as explored within my practice-based PhD, Close Encounters: A Practice-based Photography Exploration in Collaboration with a Science Communication Organisation in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park (University of Sunderland, 2024), explored with Kielder Observatory, Northumberland (UK).

EDUCATION

2017-24:	Practice-based photography PhD, University of Sunderland
2012-14:	MA Photography, Royal College of Art (Distinction)
2006-09:	BA(Hons) Photography, Video & Digital Imaging, University of Sunderland (1st class)

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2022:	Another Dimension, Kielder Forest Skyspace Trail (Northumberland, UK)
2022:	Dark Skies & Society conference, University of Oxford Cohen Quad (UK)
2021/2:	Another Dimension, Kielder Observatory (online) visit exhibition
2021:	SelfScapes, Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire, UK)
2020:	Exploring Skyscapes, Nottingham Contemporary (Nottingham, UK)
2019/20:	Observe, Experiment, Archive, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens / North East Photography Network (Sunderland, UK)
2019:	Writing Skyscapes, Backlit Gallery (Nottingham, UK)
2018:	209 Women, Portculis House, UK Parliament (London, UK)
2018:	Field/s ONE, Sluice_ Gallery (London, UK)
2018:	Traces, Artrooms (Seoul, South Korea)
2018:	Because we can, Festival Pil'ours (Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, France)
2018:	<The Scrap>, Culture Station Seoul 284 (Seoul, South Korea)
2018:	Cosmic Perspectives, Ugly Duck / Lumen Studios (London, UK)
2017:	Lumen, Bankley Gallery (Manchester, UK) 2017:
2017:	GM Arts Prize, Elliot House (Manchester, UK)
2016:	And Again, Brooklyn Fire Proof / Sluice Exchange Rates (New York, USA)
2016:	Hard Focus, ArtWork Atelier (Salford, UK)
2015:	Sluice_ 2015, with Vacuous, Bargehouse (London, UK)
2015:	Hello Future! Talent's Archive, Onassis Cultural Centre (Athens, Greece)
2014:	Body, PH21 Gallery (Budapest, Hungary)
2014:	Noise Festival: Best New Creatives, Southbank (London, UK)
2014:	Show RCA, Royal College of Art (London, UK)
2014:	Penumbra, APT Gallery (London, UK)
2013:	Splinter, Michael Hoppen Gallery (London, UK)
2013:	WIP Show, Royal College of Art (London, UK)
2012:	Helen McGhie: Identity Crisis, Harris Museum & Art Gallery (Preston, UK)
2011:	Freedom From Selection, BLANKSPACE (Manchester, UK)
2010:	Flesh & Blood, Nexus Art Café (Manchester, UK)
2010:	At Home, Chapel Gallery (Ormskirk, UK)
2010:	Autres pour elles-mêmes, 8th Congress New Lacan School of Psychoanalysis (Geneva, Switzerland)
2010:	The Big M / Abandon Normal Devices, Flag Market Square (Preston, UK)
2009:	Helios VII, The Biscuit Factory (Newcastle, UK)

selected ONLINE + PRINT

2020:	Stargazing from the forest, interview with Photomonitor
2020:	Monthly Photography, South Korea
2019:	Observe, Experiment, Archive, Photomonitor (exhibition review)
2019:	209 Women, Hilary Wood, Helen Pankhurst (Bluecoat Press)
2018:	Madam and Eve: Women Portraying Woman, Liz Rideal & Kathleen Soriano (Laurence King Publishing)
2018:	Ideas on Talent: Communities within Photography with Thom Bridge, Photoworks
2017:	Graphic Design School, Abbie Vickress, David Dabner, Sandra Stewart, Eric Zemple (Thames & Hudson)
2015:	Helen McGhie, artist at Format Festival 2015, Shutter Hub
2014:	Image Conscious, Spectrum, The Sunday Times Magazine, 23.11.14
2014:	Penumbra, VERB Bureau (self-published)
2014:	Science & Fiction (Black Dog Publishing)
2014:	Uncertain States 17 newspaper
2013:	Meet: Helen McGhie, Hunger TV (online article)
2012:	Identity Crisis exhibition review, Culture 24
2010:	The Last Picture Show, photography research archive
2009:	JAM Contemporary Photographic Practice, exhibition catalogue

awards

2021:	The Moth House Artist Mentoring Award
2020:	Covid-19 Emergency Fund, Arts Council England
2018:	Hundred Heroines (nominated), The Royal Photographic Society
2018:	International Portfolio Reviewers Choice Award, Format Festival
2017/23:	AHRC National Productivity Investment Fund PhD Studentship, Northern Bridge Consortium
2017:	The Graduate Photographer's Award (nominated), Magnum Photos
2017:	GM Arts Prize (shortlisted)
2016:	British Women Artists competition
2015:	The Graduate Photographers Award (nominated), Magnum Photos
2014:	Noise Fesitval Curator's Choice
2014:	The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers prize (photography)
2014:	Deutsche Bank Fine Art Award (shortlisted)
2013:	European Photography Prize (shortlisted)
2012/3:	RCA Bursary

CONFERENCES + TALKS

2021:	Exploring the Arts-Science Interface, EGU General Assembly 2021
2021:	Dark Sky Unconference, Dark Sky Tourism Network
2020:	Open Dome Special: Exploring Skyscapes, Nottingham Contemporary
2020:	Northern Bridge Research Residential, British School at Rome
2019:	Art and Astronomy, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
2019:	Writing Skyspaces, Nottingham Trent University / Backlit Gallery
2019:	Living Research: The Urgency of the Arts, NAFAE / Royal College of Art
2019:	Creative Lives, University of Sunderland
2018:	NEPN Develop Graduate, University of Sunderland
2016:	Hard Focus: The Physicality of Photography, ArtWork Atelier
2012:	The Museum Social, Harris Museum and Art Gallery

collections

<The Scrap>, Seoul, South Korea

Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens, Greece