Bio/Contact - (Documentary Photographer)

ABOUT

Christopher Manson is a documentary photographer based in the Yorkshire Wolds, England, with an MFA in Documentary Media from Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada. His work explores a wide range of subjects — from the environment and social issues to science, war, health, and wellbeing. He is particularly drawn to portraiture and traditional documentary approaches, often presenting his projects through the book form to create intimate, enduring narratives. His photographs have appeared in a number of publications including The Observer on Sunday, Time Out Magazine, and on The New York Times LENS blog. He is best known for his long-term projects focused on diabetes and First Nation health in remote northern regions of Canada. Manson’s bookworks can be found in numerous collections including the AGO Art Gallery of Ontario, Dorothy H. Hoover Library (Ontario College of Art & Design), Ryerson Archives & Special Collections, Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections (York University), and many others.

Christopher is based in Yorkshire. He is available for assignments, lectures and workshops.
Email: mansonphotography [@] gmail.com

EXHIBITIONS AND BOOK FAIRS

2021 ‘A Sense of Place’, Bristol Photo Festival
2021 Digital mosaic and exhibit at FORMAT21, QUAD and Derby Museum and Art Gallery, UK
2021 "Tear Gas and Art in Contemporary Times", Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei.
2019 Group Show, Remote Control Humber, Brynmor Jones Gallery, Hull, UK
2019 Group Show, National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, Liverpool, UK
2018 Group Show, Ferens Art Gallery, Open Exhibition, Hull, UK
2017 INFOCUS Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks at the Phoenix Museum of Art, Phoenix, USA
2016 1/Edition: Toronto's Art Book Fair, Riot Act: Looking Back at the G20, Toronto, CAN
2016 Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Book Fair, Riot Act: Looking Back at the G20, Vancouver, CAN
2016 Artscape Youngplace, TYPOLOGY at the Toronto Art Book Fair, Working Title, Toronto, CAN
2016 Runnymede Library, Portraits from Flight and Freedom, Toronto, CAN
2016 Ryerson Image Centre, Living with Diabetes in Moose Factory, Toronto, CAN
2015 Ryerson Artspace at The Gladstone Hotel, Riot Act: Looking Back at the G20, CAN
2015 The Rose Theatre, The Art of Caring Exhibition (Group), Kingston-upon Thames, UK
2014 Robert Mclaughlin Gallery, Exposed (Group), Toronto, CAN
2013 Harbourfront Center (Commission), Nine Rivers City, Toronto, CAN
2011 HOST gallery, War on Want (Group), London, UK
2011 Toronto Image Works Gallery, Type 1 Teen (M.F.A. show), Toronto, CAN
2010 American University Museum, One Hour Photo (Group), Washington, DC
2010 Contact Gallery, Magnum Photos Masterclass (Group), Toronto, CAN
2008 The Red Head Gallery, Insomnia (Group), Nuit Blanche, Toronto, CAN
2008 Hamilton Fringe Fest, Emerging - New Documentarists, (Projection), Hamilton, CAN

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS

2013 Project Grant for Visual Artists, Canada Council for the Arts
2011 Visual Artists Grant, Toronto Arts Council
2011 People’s Choice Award, Photography Book Now Competition, Blurb
2011 Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution in Arts and Culture’ by the Jewish Film Festival
2010 MAGNUM PHOTOS Scholarship awarded by Scotiabank

TALKS, WORKSHOPS, PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

2019 Artist Talk, Photographing the Remote North, Hinterland Creative, Driffield, UK
2019 Artist Talk, Photographing the Remote North, Teeside University, UK
2019 Artist Talk, Photographing the Remote North, Hull College, UK
2017 Photobook Workshop, Toronto International Book Fair, CAN
2017 Portfolio Reviewer, News Photographers Association of Canada’s Annual Photojournalism Conference, Toronto, CAN
2016 Workshop, Photobook Workshop, Gallery 44, CAN
2016 Workshop, Book Arts Workshop, Artscape Youngplace with Gallery 44 and Critical Distance, CAN
2015 Artist Talk, Creativity and the Mind (Conference), Agnes Etherington Art Centre, CAN
2014 Artist Talk, Nine Rivers City, Ontario Archaeological Society - Peterborough, CAN
2013 Artist Talk, Nine Rivers City, Ontario Archaeological Society - Toronto, CAN
2013 Workshop - The DIY Photobook, Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, CAN
2013 Artist Talk, Hull School of Art & Design, Kingston Upon Hull, UK
2012 Artist Talk, Documenting the Invisible, Pediatric Diabetes Conference, Toronto, CAN
2012 Artist Talk, Documenting the Invisible, M.F.A. Ryerson University, Toronto, CAN
2011 Panel Member, Raising the Lusitania: How to Render the Invisible, CONTACT Festival, CAN
2010 Artist Talk, Type 1 Teen, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, CAN

CATALOGUES, REVIEWS, NEWS CLIPPINGS

2020 Interview about Window Portraits during Covid-19: Ryerson Magazine
2019 Interview: Great Driffield Radio
2016 F-Stop Magazine, Where I Live, Issue #73, Nov
2015 NOW Magazine, Reliving the G20 Riot 5-Years Later, July 22
2013 Ryerson Magazine, Living with Diabetes in Moose Factory, Winter Issue
2013 Globe and Mail, In Pictures: Nine Rivers City, June 21
2012 New York Times LENS, Photographing an Invisible Subject, Jan 11
2012 Diabetes Dialogue, Type 1 Teen Photo Essay, Spring Issue, pg.20-27
2011 The Hospital News, Type 1 Teen Photo Essay, December Issue, pg.18-19
2011 News Photographers Association of Canada, Type 1 Teen Photo Essay, Jan 20
2010 News Photographers Association of Canada, Beirut Photo Essay, March 10
2008 FOAM, Burlesque Photo Essay, Fall Talent Issue, pg.32
2008 Naked Eye Magazine, Burlesque Photo Essay, Spring Issue, pg.75-77

TEACHING AND ASSISTING WORK

2018 London South Bank University, Contract Lecturer, London, UK
2012-2017 School of Image Arts, Ryerson University, Contract Lecturer, Toronto, CAN
2011 Teaching Assisstant, Photojurnalism Dept., International Center of Photography, NYC, USA
2008-2015 MAGNUM PHOTOS, Workshop Assistant to Larry Towell (2015), Bruce Gilden (2012), Stuart Franklin (2010), Chris Anderson (2008), during the Contact Photo Festival, Toronto, CAN

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS

2011 M.F.A. Documentary Media (Awarded with Distinction), Ryerson University, Canada
2002 B.A. (Honors) Contemporary Photographic Practice, Northumbria University, UK