Andrew Robinson

After studying Geology and working as a researcher at Sunderland Polytechnic, Andrew gained his start in photography in 1988 when he was awarded first prize by David Hockney in a competition and exhibition hosted by the National Media Museum. This led to a year long Northern Arts Photography Bursary the work from which earned him a place on the MA course in Photography at the Royal College of Art in London where he was tutored by Michael Langford, Paul Graham, Mari Marr and Helen Chadwick. After graduating with distinction Andrew spent five years working freelance in London for a range of clients including The British Council, Thames and Hudson, London Records, ID Magazine and The Observer Film Company. During this time he also worked as photographer and gallery assistant for the Zelda Cheatle Gallery, as a technical consultant for Silverprint and as a visiting tutor on a number of photography courses.

In 1995 Andrew took up a post as photography lecturer at Stockport College of H.E. where he helped found the HND in Documentary Photography and later the BA (Hons) in Documentary and Fine Art Photography whilst also teaching digital photography on the Multi-Media Journalism degree course at University College Warrington. In addition to lecturing he has been awarded numerous Arts Commissions producing and exhibiting work for Eastern Arts, The Norfolk Museum of Rural Life, The National Trust, North West Arts, Photofusion London, The Guildhall Gallery Gloucester, Huyton Gallery Liverpool and others. In 2006 Andrew moved to the Media Arts department at SHU as a Senior Lecturer in Photography where he helped establish the BA (Hons) in Photography on which he now teaches. Whilst working at SHU Andrew has extended his creative practice, undertaking research and consultation projects for a range of clients including Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Nottingham Trent University, Rural Education and Arts Projects, Creative Partnerships and Groundwork East Midlands.

Andrew’s photographic practice investigates notions of individual and communal identity through a visual anthropology of people, place and trace applying creative strategies that integrate still and moving imagery along with text, audio and found materials in an exploration of visual narrative.

Department of Media Arts and Communication

Business, Technology and Enterprise

• Art and Design Research Centre
• Culture and Creativity Research Institute

Journal articles

Robinson, A. (2011). Giving voice and taking pictures: participatory documentary and visual research. People, place and policy online, 5 (3), 115-134. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0005.0003.0001

Syson-Nibbs, L., Robinson, A., Cook, J., & King, I. (2009). Young farmers' photographic mental health promotion programme: A case study. Arts and health : an international journal for research, policy and practice, 1 (2), 151-167. http://doi.org/10.1080/17533010903031622

Conference papers

Robinson, A. (2016). Photography, Urbex and the Post-Industrial Landscape. In Back Then: A Celebration of Art and Engineering, Gripple, Savile St E, Sheffield S4 7UQ, 22 March 2016. http://www.sheffieldcityofmakers.co.uk/calendar/back-then-a-celebration-of-art-and-engineering

Robinson, A. (2015). Creative Journeys (short paper). In ‘Where Next - Steps Towards the Future of Walking Arts’, Falmouth University, Cornwall, England, 15 April 2015 - 16 April 2015. http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/whereto

Book chapters

Robinson, A. (2018). An Idea of North. In Northern Light: Photography, Landscape and the North. (pp. 34-37). Sheffield Hallam University: Media Arts and Communication, Sheffield Hallam University

White, D., & Goldie, C. (2017). Northern light: Landscape photography and the north. In Robinson, A. (Ed.) Northern Light: Landscape Photography and the North. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University

Books

Robinson, A. (Ed.). (2011). Drawn in light: Jo Berry’s ‘Hijacking Natural Systems’. Buxton, England: Andrew Robinson (self published). http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2361208

Robinson, A. (Ed.). (2011). Drawn in light: Jo Berry’s ‘Hijacking Natural Systems’. Buxton, England: Andrew Robinson (self published). http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2361208

Robinson, A. (Ed.). (2011). What is happening to our community. Buxton, England: Andrew Robinson (self published). http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2495726

Robinson, A. (Ed.). (2011). What is happening to our community. Buxton, England: Andrew Robinson (self published). http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2495726

Reports

Robinson, A. (2018). Northern Light: Landscape, Photography and the North. Sheffield: Media Arts and Communication, Sheffield Hallam University.

Robinson, A. (2013). Service Station Journal (Pair of unique self published photo books). Buxton: anthology.co.uk. http://anthology.co.uk/photos_project_motorway.html

Artefacts

Robinson, A. (2016). An Idea of North. [Artists Bookwork]. http://anthology.co.uk/photos_project_north.html

Robinson, A. (2015). Nine walks (photo series / web page). [Print / Web Page / Video]. http://anthology.co.uk/photos_project_walking.html

Gent, S., Parkin, M., Watson, A., Lee, J., Robinson, A., Robinson, S., & Lazenby, M. (n.d.). Solar. [Video works presented on an app]. https://www.shu.ac.uk/catalyst

Exhibitions

Robinson, A. (n.d.). Communities Under Pressure: Life in challenging communities. [Exhibition of Photographs, text and video works]. New London Architecture, 26 Store Street, London. WC1E 7BT. http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/exhibition-explores-different-realities-living-low-income-neighbourhoods

Robinson, A. (n.d.). Communities Under Pressure: Life in challenging communities. [Exhibition of Photographs, text and video works]. New London Architecture, 26 Store Street, London. WC1E 7BT. http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/exhibition-explores-different-realities-living-low-income-neighbourhoods

Robinson, A. (2013). Service Station Journal (installation for 'The Motorway Service Station as a Destination in its Own Right'). [Installation (2x 190pp (approx) B4 books, wooden table, 2x 1080 x 1470mm digital Gicleé prints]. Bank Street Arts, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Engalnd. S1 2DS. http://anthology.co.uk/photos_project_motorway.html

Robinson, A. (n.d.). Photobibliophile.co.uk (online gallery of original and creative photobooks and zines). [Web Site including Text, Photographs and Videos]. http://www.photobibliophile.co.uk/

Robinson, A. (n.d.). Northern Light - Website Gallery. [Website based gallery].

Gent, S., Watson, A., Lee, J., Wichert, P., Robinson, S., Robinson, A., ... Lazenby, M. (2018). Walk Out. [Video, photography, and sculpture]. Sheffield Institute for Art. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/sia/events/event-listing.html?event=282

Media

Robinson, A. (2017). 53.398322, -1.776431 (from 'Beyond The Trees'). [Online / Exhibition]. http://anthology.co.uk/photos_project_neptune.html

Watson, A., Lee, J., Gent, S., Ternan, M., Parkin, M., Robinson, A., & Robinson, S. (2015). Showreel for Media Arts Walking Research Group. [DVD]. Sheffield Hallam University: http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/whereto

Robinson, A. (2011). Drawn in Light: A visual exploration of Joanne Berry’s ‘Hijacking Natural Systems’. [DVD and HD online version]. Andrew Robinson: http://anthology.co.uk/films_drawn_full.html

Presentations

Robinson, A. (2015). Nine Walks (video). Presented at: Where to? Steps towards the future of walking arts, Falmouth University, 2015

Posters

Watson, A., Lee, J., Gent, S., Ternan, M., Parkin, M., Robinson, A., & Robinson, S. (2015). Poster for Media Arts Walking Research Group. Presented at: Where to? Steps towards the future of walking arts, Falmouth University, 2015

Robinson, A. (2015). Media Arts Walking Research Group Interactive poster. Presented at: Where to? Steps towards the future of walking arts, Falmouth University, 2015

Other publications

Watson, A., Lee, J., Parkin, M., Gent, S., Robinson, A., Robinson, S., & Lazenby, M. (2017). SOLAR - a walking app. Sheffield Hallam University Catalyst Fund

Andrew is the founder and curator of the online photobook resource ‘ Photobibliophile.co.uk ’ and currently acts as external examiner for the BA (Hons) Photography Course at De Montford University, Leicester.