Mario Popham is a photographer, curator and educator of Japanese-British descent, currently based in Manchester, UK. He graduated from the Manchester School of Art in 2007 and has since continued to work on personal projects and commissions. His interests lie in man’s paradoxical relationship to the natural environment and how this finds expression in the post-industrial areas of Britain, with particular focus on the North.
His work has been exhibited in the UK and abroad, most recently at HOME, Manchester and Groundwork Gallery, King’s Lynn for his ongoing collaboration with artist Tom Baskeyfield. He is currently developing long-term projects in both the UK and Italy that explore place in the context of industrial legacy, nature and community.
In his role as visual arts coordinator at Waterside, Trafford, he has produced and curated a number of exhibitions for the visual arts program consisting of digital art, animation with a particular emphasis on contemporary photography.
His work has been exhibited in the UK and abroad, most recently at HOME, Manchester and Groundwork Gallery, King’s Lynn for his ongoing collaboration with artist Tom Baskeyfield. He is currently developing long-term projects in both the UK and Italy that explore place in the context of industrial legacy, nature and community.
In his role as visual arts coordinator at Waterside, Trafford, he has produced and curated a number of exhibitions for the visual arts program consisting of digital art, animation with a particular emphasis on contemporary photography.
In 2021 produced the graduate showcase program, First Light in partnership with Open Eye Gallery and Castlefield Gallery. The project, which aimed to provide a platform and opportunity for graduates during Covid, culminated in an exhibition in Warrington, a series of online events and a publication.
Mario is currently co-leading as creative producer on the Open Eye Hub project in Wigan and Leigh –a space shaped by the community with photography at its core – set to launch in autumn 2022.
Mario is currently co-leading as creative producer on the Open Eye Hub project in Wigan and Leigh –a space shaped by the community with photography at its core – set to launch in autumn 2022.
Email: mariopopham@gmail.com
Telephone: +44(0)7940 913666
Telephone: +44(0)7940 913666
Exhibitions
Shaped by Stone, ‘On the Stony Path’ Group Exhibition, GroundWork Gallery, Norfolk, 2017
Shaped by Stone, ’Northern Light’ group exhibition, SIA Gallery, Sheffield, 2016
Shaped by Stone, Jack Sevens Gallery & Teggs Nose Visitors Centre, Macclesfield 2016
Looking Glass, ’Transition’group exhibition, PS Mirabel Gallery, Manchester, 2016
Enduring Growth, ‘Inside Out’ group exhibition, Wuhan Province, China, 2015
Enduring Growth, Cornerhouse, Manchester, 2014
Track Record, Islington Mill, Manchester, 2011
Suburban Gothic, The Art Corner, Manchester, 2010
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studios, Rome, 2007
Observer Hodge Award, Guardian Newsroom, 2006
Nikon Discovery Awards, Olympia Centre, London, 2007
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studio, Rome, 2007
Shaped by Stone, ‘On the Stony Path’ Group Exhibition, GroundWork Gallery, Norfolk, 2017
Shaped by Stone, ’Northern Light’ group exhibition, SIA Gallery, Sheffield, 2016
Shaped by Stone, Jack Sevens Gallery & Teggs Nose Visitors Centre, Macclesfield 2016
Looking Glass, ’Transition’group exhibition, PS Mirabel Gallery, Manchester, 2016
Enduring Growth, ‘Inside Out’ group exhibition, Wuhan Province, China, 2015
Enduring Growth, Cornerhouse, Manchester, 2014
Track Record, Islington Mill, Manchester, 2011
Suburban Gothic, The Art Corner, Manchester, 2010
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studios, Rome, 2007
Observer Hodge Award, Guardian Newsroom, 2006
Nikon Discovery Awards, Olympia Centre, London, 2007
In the Shadow of Progress, Tarshito Studio, Rome, 2007
Awards
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2017
Barnaby Arts Festival Commission – Winner , 2015
Tim Hetherington Trust Award – Nomination, 2014
Magenta Flash Forward Award – Winner, 2013
Nikon Discovery Awards – Shortlisted, 2007
Observer Hodge Award – Highly Commended, 2006
Clients
HOME, Manchester
The Independent
RNCM, Manchester
24/7 Theatre Festival
AG Photographic Journal
The British Council
Panos South Asia
Contact Theatre, Manchester
Random House Publications
Community Arts Northwest
Manifesto, Rome
ACE Grants For Arts – Awarded, 2017
Barnaby Arts Festival Commission – Winner , 2015
Tim Hetherington Trust Award – Nomination, 2014
Magenta Flash Forward Award – Winner, 2013
Nikon Discovery Awards – Shortlisted, 2007
Observer Hodge Award – Highly Commended, 2006
Clients
HOME, Manchester
The Independent
RNCM, Manchester
24/7 Theatre Festival
AG Photographic Journal
The British Council
Panos South Asia
Contact Theatre, Manchester
Random House Publications
Community Arts Northwest
Manifesto, Rome