Marge Bradshaw Artist Biography/CV

I’m a photographic artist and socially engaged practitioner interested in people, place, and heritage. I commit to sustainable practice in my work; using cameraless printmaking processes which are more environmentally sound – including cyanotypes, anthotypes and lumen prints. Though my socially engaged practice, I often collaborate with under-represented communities and individuals to make ‘useful art’ which aims to encourage debate, spark conversation, or raise the profile of societal issues that are important to them in the places they live.

Socially engaged community commissions and residencies

  • Wellcome Collection, London (2024): Participatory R&D with people who identify as LGBTQ+ and have genealogical healthcare issues, to inform ongoing public programme.

  • Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead (2024): Going to the Match, a commission working with Trans Enby FC to document and share the experience of trans footballers in Liverpool using photography and alternative cameraless printmaking processes.

  • Arts Council England £26k Project Grant (2023 and 2024): ‘Whose menopause?’ An inclusive socially engaged project exploring menopause with people in Bolton through photography and alternative cameraless printmaking processes.

  • Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool (2022 and 2023): The Watch Factory, Prescot. A yearlong socially engaged project working with residents in the extra care setting of the Watch Factory, using archive material to connect creatively with intergenerational community members through photography and alternative cameraless printmaking processes.

  • Art of the Possible funded by Bolton at Home (2023): Social portrait and documentary commission with Age UK volunteers in Bolton.

  • RHS Bridgewater (2023 and 2024): Mindful Photography and Lumen Print workshops.

  • The Woodland Trust (2022): Socially engaged workshops with social prescribing mental health group using anthotype alternative cameraless printmaking processes.

  • Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool (2021): Socially engaged community micro-commission ‘Howfen Spaces’ including cyanotype processes.

  • Bolton Library & Bolton at Home (2021): Lost Words Community Commission.

  • The Turnpike (2019 - 2020): Making of Us socially engaged programme, working with autistic adults from True Colours CIC.

Solo and group exhibitions

  • PINK studios (Hatter x Stockroom), Stockport (2024): Amoebe (group exhibition)

  • Warrington Museum and Art Gallery (2024): Warrington Open 2024 (group exhibition)

  • HOME (2024): Manchester Open (group exhibition).

  • Bolton Museum & Art Gallery (2023): Why We Ring (solo exhibition).

  • Historic England and Photoworks (2023): Picturing High Streets nationwide outdoor exhibition (group show).

  • Royal Photographic Society (RPS) Gallery Bristol (2023): Summer Exhibition (group show).

  • Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool (2021): Crossing Sectors (group show).

  • Bolton Museum & Art Gallery (2021): Caring Bolton: the community response to Covid-19 (solo exhibition).

  • Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival / Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces (2021): Slap-Bang (group show).

  • Museums Northumberland (2020): Hidden Heroes Meet Northumberland’s Key Workers (solo exhibition).

  • Science Museum, London (2019): Science Photographer of the Year exhibition (group show).

Awards

  • British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain (Shortlisted 2023) Volume 6.Royal Photographic Society International Print Exhibition 165 (Shortlisted 2023).

  • Royal Photographic Society Science Photographer of the Year (Shortlisted 2019).

Independent (self-funded) projects

  • Why We Ring (2022): documentary and portrait series with the Westhoughton Tower Bellringers.

  • Front of House (2020): a social documentary photography series capturing the stories of grassroots musicians during the pandemic; featured by the BBC.

Professional development

  • The Carbon Literacy Trust/Redeye Photographic Network (2022) Carbon Literate Photographer Certification.

  • Arts Council England (2021) Developing Your Creative Practice.

  • Open Eye Gallery (2020 - 2021): Crossing Sectors professional development programme.

Educational Attainment

  • MA Arts & Heritage Management (Distinction) The University of Sheffield (2002)

  • BA (Hons 2.1) English Language with Art History The University of Lancaster (2000)

  • ‘A’ Levels English Language and Literature (B), French (B), Art (B) and 10 GSCE’s A*- B incl. Maths and English (1997)

Other

  • I have a recent basic DBS, along with public and professional indemnity insurance.

  • I’m certified up to British Sign Language Level 3 (Levels 1 – 3, 2007-2010).

  • I am a Mental Health England Mental Health First Aider (adult 2-day course completed 2021).