Newsletter, summer 2020

Helen McGhie | photographic artist | researcher

Dear friends & colleagues,

Hope you have been keeping well - it has certainly been an extraordinary year!

This image was shot at my February residency at Kielder Observatory (Northumberland) - before lockdown. I photographed these stargazers and now can't help but look at their (socially non-distant) glowing bodies differently. This work forms part of my practice-led PhD on photography, astronomy and the 'extra/ordinary', see more through this link:

In other news...

'Coma' published in Monthly Photography magazine (July 2020, South Korea)

Images from my project 'Coma' have been published in print. I'm delighted that my image made it onto the front cover!

Recipient of Arts Council England emergency funding (May 2020)

I was thrilled to receive ACE emergency funding. This has supported me to reflect on my practice with others by establishing a new virtual culture group 'ELEVENSES' at my studio, Islington Mill, Salford.

PhD activity: artist residency at Kielder Observatory (Feb 2020)

For five nights, I stayed in Kielder Observatory's temporary staff accommodation as a PhD research activity. I immersed myself in the week's events, chatted to stargazers and made new photographic work about my experience. More updates on the evolving project soon!

PhD activity: British School at Rome residential (Jan 2020)

I attended Northern Bridge Consortium's research residential at the British School at Rome. We explored the city and school through archive photographs, cultural archaeology and the concept of translation.
 

Stay safe & thanks for reading!

Best wishes,
Helen