One of the UK’s most celebrated news and war photographers, Graeme Robertson, will discuss the secrets, challenges and incredible stories behind his photographs at the University of Stirling next week.
The award-winning photographer will deliver the University’s Autumn Art Lecture on 10 November – discussing his career, his travels to challenging locations, his experience of photographing difficult subject matters and the inspiration behind his work.
Additionally, a selection of prints from Graeme’s most recent ‘Haves and Have-nots’ project – which highlights the challenges faced by people living with disabilities in the developing world – will also be displayed in the University of Stirling Art Collection. This will be the first time the images have been exhibited in the UK
The Haves and Have-nots photographs were taken by Graeme earlier this year when he travelled with the UK charity Sightsavers to Iganga, Eastern Uganda - to document how blind children are integrated into, and in some cases excluded from, educational opportunities.
He said: “When I visited the school I met a young boy who was blind and his skin looked burnt. The story I was told shocked me. A family member had tried to poison him because he was blind and the family thought he was worthless. It angered me. I thought what can I do? I photographed him and my project started”
Graeme’s photographs use personal case studies to illustrate both sides of the story – the game of chance that dictates whether or not you have the same opportunities and access to services as the next person.
He added: “These photographs are about the experiences of the haves and the have-nots of the developing world and being disabled in that environment. I hope my photos can help to inspire, engage and motivate people to put pressure on the government and the international community to do more.”
Sarah Bromage, Learning and Audience Development Curator at the University, said: “We’re delighted Graeme Robertson is coming to deliver Stirling’s Autumn Art Lecture.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for audience members to hear from an artist who has had an enormously successful and interesting career, and who has used his work to raise awareness and fuel discussion about such a wide range of important issues.”
The London-based photographer who is originally from Falkirk has worked for The Guardian since 2005. He has been covering news events in the UK for over 12 years and has photographed some of the most famous faces in the celebrity world.
Over the last decade, Graeme’s work has included coverage of the Iraq war, Pakistan, the Middle East conflict and several humanitarian trips in Africa.
His hard-hitting photography has earned him the accolades Scottish Young Photographer of the Year 1999, British Young Photographer of the Year 2000 and 2001, Scottish News Photographer of the Year 2002 and Scottish Provincial Photographer of the Year 2002.
Graeme Robertson’s lecture will take place on Monday 10 November from 4.00 – 5.00pm in Pathfoot Lecture Theatre at the University of Stirling. The event is free of charge and open to all but places must be booked in advance. To reserve a place email externalaffairs@stir.ac.uk or see www.stir.ac.uk/events.
The selection of prints from Graeme’s Haves and Have-nots project will be exhibited in the University of Stirling Art Collection, Pathfoot Building, from 10 November until the end of December.
For further information:
Karen McIntosh
Public Relations Officer
pr@Stir.ac.uk
01786 467058
Notes for editors
- Background information
About Graeme Robertson
Graeme Robertson was born in Falkirk. He started his career in photography in 1994 working as a wireman and darkroom assistant for the Daily Record and Sunday Mail in Glasgow. He has worked for the Guardian since 2005 and his portraits, features and news photos from the UK and further afield appear in the paper on a daily basis.
He previously worked for Getty Images in London, the Herald and the Scotsman, and his photos have appeared in many other publications around the world, as well as in numerous books, exhibitions and advertising campaigns.
About the University of Stirling Art Collection
The Art Collection is open to the public Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm and Weekends 11.00am – 3.00pm. Further information about the University of Stirling Art Collection: www.artcol.stir.ac.uk