Lorna MacKay is an artist based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Interested in connections between people and place, her work often focuses on themes of identity and our relationship with environment, exploring these subject matters through a research-driven approach.
In 2022 she was shortlisted for the National Trust's North East Emerging Artist Prize. In 2021 she was shortlisted for the Feature Shoot Emerging Photography Award and was a recipient of the British Journal of Photography's inaugural Decade of Change Award dedicated to addressing the climate crisis.
Her work has exhibited internationally and appeared in The Guardian, The Times and Uncut Magazine among others. Recent clients include Newcastle University and One Little Indie Records. She holds an MA (with Distinction) in Creative Arts Practice and a First Class BA (Hons) in Photography.
Awards & Residencies
2022 National Trust North East Emerging Artist Prize (Shortlisted)
2022 North East Photography Network (NEPN) SHIFTS Professional Development Bursary
2021-present Artist-in-residence, Newcastle Gaol Project
2021-2022 Arts Council England DYCP Grant Recipient: Bookbinding and Printmaking Skills
2021 British Journal of Photography, Decade of Change Award winner
2021 Feature Shoot Emerging Photography Award (Shortlisted)
2019-21 Artist-in-residence, Newcastle Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research
2018 Michael Ormerod Travel Award, Newcastle College
Selected Exhibitions
2022 The Life and Death of Newcastle Gaol, 1822-2022. Newcastle Central Library, 6 June – 31 July
2022 National Trust North East Emerging Artist Prize. Seaton Delaval Hall, 28 May – 9 July
2022 Investigations in Infrastructure & Everything is Narrative. Subjectively Objective Gallery, Detroit, 5 May – 15 July
2021 Lenscratch: Still Life Exhibition (Online) 1-30 November
2021 British Journal of Photography, Decade of Change Award. Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, Hong Kong (10 June - 31 September) and Javits Centre, New York during NYC Climate Week (20-26 September)
2021 Creative Arts Practice MA & Fine Art MFA Degree Show. Hatton Gallery, 20 August – 4 September
2021 Valance ii (Newcastle Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research Residency). Vane Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, 18-28 August
2019 20:20 Print Exchange. Northern Print
2018 Michael Ormerod Travel Award: Solo Exhibition. Newcastle College Mandela School of Art & Design, 26 October – 30 November
Education
2019-2021 MA in Creative Arts Practice (Distinction), Newcastle University
2016-2019 BA (Hons) in Photography (First Class Honours), Newcastle College
Memberships
a-n Artist Information Company