Mark Leary is a visual artist, lecturer and PhD researcher.
Implementing experimental photographic practices, Mark’s research aims to explore and interrogate the everyday and why the commonplace is almost always overlooked for moments of grandeur - experimenting with the reimagining of the familiar, through the aesthetic delivery, 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 research, ‘The Pull of the Tide’, focuses on the rituals and everyday fabric of a surfer’s life and how the interplay between the act, place, and cultural practices can reveal surfers’ sensorial and cultural experiences. 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].
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 an MA in Photography, where his research focused on the exploration of individuals’ journeys and their want for moments of solitude.
"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
