Mark Leary is a visual artist, lecturer and PhD researcher.
Currently, Mark is a module leader on MA Photography (online) at Arts University Bournemouth and previously the programme lead on BA Photography at Bournemouth University. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and a MA in Photography - where his research focused on the exploration of individuals’ journeys and their want for moments of solitude.
Mark’s photographic-led research explores the everyday and how the commonplace is almost always overlooked for moments of grandeur - experimenting with the reimagining of the familiar through the aesthetic delivery. Using experimental photographic practices, Mark’s aim is to understand if a photograph’s subject can provoke reverie through association or if the reverie is established as a consequence of the presentation
His current visually-led research, ’The Pull of the Tide’, is centred around surfing’s interplay between the act, space and place, and the accompanying cultural practices. This body of practically-led research continues Mark’s fascination with the delineation of the everyday.
Mark has exhibited at numerous galleries and creative spaces over the last fifteen years - including The Photographers’ Gallery, London and The National Portrait Gallery, London - and spoken about his practice nationally, alongside creating award-winning fine art images, films, advertising campaigns, design & editorial works and the publication of two photographic art books - Made in China [2007]; Salt+Wax [2012].
"With his unique colour palette and beautiful lighting, Mark creates a familiar, almost nostalgic feeling to his subject." Aine Donovan - Associate Producer, BBH London
"Mark's imagery is dreamlike. Whether it's magnificent snow-capped mountains or surfers at sunset, everything he shoots has a magical quality. His images convey universal concepts of wonder, adventure, exploration, living in the moment and mindfulness." Guy Merrill - Global Head of Art, Getty
Available for lectures on request.
Exhibitions include -
'Salt+Wax' retrospective solo exhibition - The Station Gallery, Frome [2024]
'Salt+Wax' retrospective solo exhibition - ROMA Gallery, Falmouth [2023]
‘Suddenly Last Summer’ group exhibition - Arts University Bournemouth [2019]
‘Lucid’ group exhibition - Arts University Bournemouth [2019]
'Undertaking' solo exhibition - Various galleries, London [2017-18]
'They Made This' group exhibition - Protein Studios, London [2017]
'Summer Art Show' group exhibition - Old Bakery Studio, Truro, Cornwall [2016]
'Getty 6x6' group exhibition - Getty Gallery, London [2015]
'Getty Gather' group talk & presentation - London [2014]
'They Made This' group exhibition - BBH Gallery, London [2014]
‘Retrospective’ solo exhibition - BBH Gallery, London [2014]
'Salt+Wax' solo exhibition - 71a Gallery, London [2012]
'Salt+Wax' solo exhibition - London Surf Film Festival, London [2012]
‘Fish Fry’ group exhibition - Coombe Barton, Cornwall [2011]
‘Black Dog’ group exhibition - AMV Gallery, London [2010]
'Made in China' book launch - The Photographers' Gallery, London [2008]
Publications include - Made in China [2007]; Salt+Wax [2012]
Awards include - AoP; Campaign Press & Poster; Cannes Lion; Cornwall Film Festival; Creative Circle; Creative Review; D&AD; IPA; London Surf Film Festival; One Show USA; Taylor Wessing...
Clients include - Ambrosia; Adidas; Avis; Barclaycard; Blacks Outdoor Specialist; British Airways; British Gas; British Telecom; Brother; Cadbury; Cornwall Pure Business; Creative Circle; Finisterre; FRANK; Google; The Guardian; Harper Collins; Hewlett Packard; HMRC; HUCK magazine; Kelly's Cornish Ice-cream; KFC; IKEA; LG; The London Surf Film Festival; Mastercard; Mute Records; Nike; O'Neill; 02; Orange; Panasonic; Penguin Books; Random House; RBS; Reebok; The Ride Journal; Saga; Scoot; Shell; Sony; The Surfer's Path; Syntegra; T-Mobile; Typhoo; Vans; Visa Commercial; World Trade Centre; Yacht Associates; Yahoo...
For print purchases/general enquiries -
+44 7875 423762
