Lorna MacKay is a photographer based in the North East of England. Her work is rooted in the relationships between people and place, and how culture and history shape these connections. Through long-term projects, she explores identity, community and ritual, alongside the effects of social and environmental change.
Her work has been recognised by British Journal of Photography and Feature Shoot, and supported by Arts Council England. She is interested in collaborative approaches to documentary photography and in 2025 received the Photoworks x MBP Seed Grant to develop a participatory project with a youth group in Newcastle's West End. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including during Climate Week NYC with New York's Climate Museum and at Hong Kong's Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change.
In addition to self-initiated projects, she undertakes commissioned and editorial work. Her photography has appeared in and been commissioned by Bloomberg, The Guardian, The Independent and The Times, among others.
CONTACT
For all enquiries, including commissions and print sales, please get in touch directly:
AWARDS, GRANTS & RESIDENCIES
Photoworks x MPB 2025
Bothy Project, Artist Residency (supported by Art Network North East) 2024
National Trust North East Emerging Artist Award (shortlist) 2022
North East Photography Network (NEPN) SHIFTS Professional Development Award 2022
Arts Council England 2022
British Journal of Photography, Decade of Change Award 2021
Feature Shoot Emerging Photography Award (shortlist) 2021
Wellcome Trust Newcastle, Artist Residency 2019-21
Michael Ormerod Travel Award, Newcastle College University Centre 2018
EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)
Documenting Adelaide Terrace (Commissioned by Newcastle City Council Arts Development) St. James Hall Newcastle / Bus stand installations, 2025
Print Exchange Project Northern Print X Hotbed Press, 2024
National Trust North East Emerging Artist Award Seaton Delaval Hall, 2022
Investigations in Infrastructure Subjectively Objective Gallery, Detroit, 7 May – 15 July 2022
British Journal of Photography, Decade of Change Award NYC Climate Week at Javits Centre with New York Climate Museum, 2021
British Journal of Photography, Decade of Change Award Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, Hong Kong, 2021
Creative Arts Practice Graduate Show Hatton Gallery, 2021
Valance ii, Wellcome Trust Residency Vane Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2021
Michael Ormerod Travel Award: Sightlines (Solo Exhibition) Newcastle College University Centre, 2018
EDUCATION
MA in Creative Arts Practice (Distinction), Newcastle University 2021
BA (Hons) in Photography (First), Newcastle College University Centre 2019