Biography

Simon Roberts (b. 1974) studied a BA Hons Degree in Human Geography at the University of Sheffield (1996). His photographs have been exhibited widely with recent solo shows at the National Media Museum, UK, EX3 Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea, Italy, and Centro Brasileiro Britânico, Brazil. They are represented in major public and private collections, including the Deutsche Börse Art Collection, George Eastman House and Wilson Centre for Photography. In recognition for his work, Roberts has received several awards including the Vic Odden Award - offered for a notable achievement in the art of photography by a British photographer - bursaries from the National Media Museum and the John Kobal Foundation. Most recently he was commissioned as the official Election Artist by the House of Commons Works of Art Committee (2010) to produce a record of the UK General Election.  He has published two critically acclaimed monographs, Motherland (Chris Boot, 2007) and We English (Chris Boot, 2009).

 

Selected Public Collections

Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham, UK
Deutsche Börse Art Collection, Frankfurt, Germany
George Eastman House, Rochester, USA
Merrill Lynch Financial Centre, London, UK
Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, USA
National Media Museum, Bradford, UK
Wilson Centre for Photography, London, UK

Publications

Hijacked III - Contemporary Photography from Australia & UK. BigCityPress: Australia, 2012.

Flash Forward - 5^th Anniversary. Magenta Foundation: Canada, 2009.

This Day of Change. Kodansha Limited: Japan, 2009.

XL Photography 3. Hatje Cantz: Germany, 2007.

Flash Forward 2007. Magenta Foundation: Canada, 2007.

Granta 94: On the Road Again. Photoessay by Simon Roberts. Granta: London, 2006.

Eyes Wide Open. Chris Boot: London, 2004.

10 Years of the Joop Swart Masterclass. World Press Foundation: Amsterdam, 2004.

 

Grants, Nominations & Awards

Official Election Artist, House of Commons Works of Art Committee (UK), 2010
World Press Photo Award, 3rd Place, Daily Life Stories (Netherlands), 2010
Fellowship Distinction, Royal Photographic Society (UK), 2009
EU Imagine a New World, Shortlisted for Public's Favourite Award, 2009
Create Review Photography Annual (UK), 2009
Photo Book Award, New York Photo Festival, Shortlisted for We English (USA), 2009
KLM Paul Huff Award, Nomination (Amsterdam), 2009
ArtSlant July Showcase Winner, Photography Section (USA), 2009
John Kobal Foundation Grant (UK), 2008
PDN Photo Annual, Motherland selected in Best Photography Book category (USA), 2008
American Photography 24 Annual (USA), 2008
Arts Council England Grant (UK), 2007
National Media Museum Bursary (UK), 2007
Vic Odden Award, Royal Photographic Society Awards (UK), 2007
Arles Contemporary Book Award, Shortlisted for Motherland (France), 2007
Year's Best Photography Books, PHotoEspana Festival, Shortlisted for Motherland (Spain), 2007
Special Prize, Lodz Foto Festiwal (Poland), 2007
Document Award, Association of Photographers Awards (UK), 2007
Lange-Paul Taylor Prize, Finalist (USA), 2007
Arts Council England Grant (UK), 2006
Getty Grant for Photography (USA), 2006
Photography Now - One Hundred Portfolios (USA), 2006
Descubrimientos PHE06 PHotoEspaña Festival, Selected Participant (Spain), 2006
Review Santa Fe, Selected Participant (USA), 2006
Bright Spark Award, Magenta Foundation (Canada), 2006
Alexia Foundation Grant, Highly Commended (USA), 2006
Environmental Picture Story, NPPA Best of Photojournalism (USA), 2006
PDN Photo Annual (USA), 2006, 2005
Best In Show, AOP Open Awards (UK), 2005
Magazine Picture Story, NPPA Best of Photojournalism (USA), 2005
Sliver Medal, 147th Royal Photographic Society Awards (UK), 2004
Photo District News' PDN 30 Emerging Artist (USA), 2004
Chinese Humanity Photo Awards, Daily Life Category (China) 2004
Joop Swart Masterclass, World Press Foundation (Amsterdam), 2003
XIV Yann Geffroy Award, Honorable Mention (Italy), 2003
Observer Hodge Award, Highly Commended (UK), 2003, 2002
Associateship Distinction, Royal Photographic Society (UK) 1999
Anne Bolt Memorial Award (UK), 1999
Ian Parry Award (UK), 1999

Fellowships & Prizes

2012

BNL - BNP Paribas Group Award, MIA Art Fair, Finalist (Italy)       

2011

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize, Nomination for We English monograph (UK)
Creative Review Photography Annual - Pierdom (UK)
International Photography Awards, First Prize - Political category (USA)
International Photography Awards, Honorable Mention - Architecture category (USA)
Arts Council England Grant (UK)

2010

BMW Paris Photo Prize, Shortlisted (France)

Official Election Artist, House of Commons Works of Art Committee (UK)

PDN Photo Annual, Best Photography Book - We English (USA)

World Press Photo Award, Daily Life Stories, Third Prize (Netherlands)

Arts Council England Grant (UK)

2009

Royal Photographic Society Fellowship Distinction (UK)

EU Imagine a New World, Public's Favourite Award, Shortlisted (EU)

Creative Review Photography Annual (UK)

New York Photo Festival Book Award - We English (USA)

KLM Paul Huff Award, Shortlisted (Amsterdam)

ArtSlant Showcase Winner (USA)

2008

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize, Nomination for Motherland exhibition (UK)

John Kobal Foundation Grant (UK)

PDN Photo Annual, Best Photography Book - Motherland (USA)

American Photography 24 Annual (USA),

2007

National Media Museum Bursary (UK)

Arts Council England Grant (UK)

Vic Odden Award (UK)

Arles Contemporary Book Award, Motherland shortlisted (France)

PHotoEspana Year's Best Photography Books, Motherland shortlisted (Spain)

Lodz Foto Festiwal Special Prize (Poland)

Association of Photographers Document Award (UK)

2006

Getty Grant (USA)

Photography Now - One Hundred Portfolios (USA)

PHotoEspaña Festival Descubrimientos PHE06 (Spain)

Review Santa Fe, Selected Participant (USA)

Magenta Foundation Bright Spark Award (Canada)

Alexia Foundation Grant, Highly Commended (USA)

PDN Photo Annual Award (USA)

Lange-Paul Taylor Prize, Finalist (USA)

1999 - 2005

Association Of Photographers Open Awards, Best In Show (UK), 2005

NPPA Best of Photojournalism, Magazine Picture Story (USA), 2005

PDN Photo Annual Award (USA), 2005

Photo District News' PDN30 Emerging Artist (USA), 2004

Chinese Humanity Photo Award, Daily Life Category (China), 2004

World Press Foundation Joop Swart Masterclass (Amsterdam), 2003

XIV Yann Geffroy Award, Honorable Mention (Italy), 2003

Anne Bolt Memorial Award (UK), 1999

Ian Parry Award (UK), 1999

 

Selected Exhibitions

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2012

The Photographers' Gallery, Print Sales (London, UK): Pierdom, July - September

Third Floor Gallery (Cardiff, UK): We English, July - August

Swiss Cottage Gallery (London, UK): Let This Be a Sign, May - June

Light House (Wolverhampton, UK): We English, January - March

Pluie d'Images (Brittany, France): We English, January - February

2011

Centro Brasileiro Britânico (São Paulo, Brazil): We English, November - February

Hereford Photo Festival (Hereford, UK): Landscapes of Innocence & Experience, November

Flowers East (London, UK): We English, October - November

Photaumnales Festival (Beauvais, France): We English, September - November

SIFEST Photography Festival (Savignano, Italy): An Italian Story, September - October

UH Galleries, St Albans Museum (St Albans, UK): We English, July - September

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery (Brighton, UK): We English, May - August

mac Gallery (Birmingham, UK): We English, May - July

mac Gallery (Birmingham, UK): Landscapes of Innocence & Experience, May - July

mac Gallery (Birmingham, UK): The Election Project, April - June

New York Photo Festival (New York, USA): Landscapes of Innocence & Experience, May

MC2 Gallery (Milan, Italy): We English, April - May

Robert Morat Galerie (Hamburg, Germany): Motherland & We English, March - April

DMB Project Space (London, UK): Polyarnye Nochi, January -March

Spazio Labo' - Centro di Fotografia (Bologna, Italy): We English, January - February

2010

Clocktower Gallery (Croydon, UK): We English, November - February

Robert Morat Project Space (Berlin, Germany): We English, October - December

EX3 Centro l'Arte Contemporanea (Firenze, Italy), Motherland, Homeland, Oct - November

Brighton Photo Fringe (Brighton, UK): The Election Project, October

SIFEST Photography Festival (Savignano, Italy): We English, September - October

House of Commons (London, UK): The Election Project, September - December

National Media Museum (Bradford, UK): We English, March - September

Burgh Hall, (Dunoon, UK): We English, April - July

Bank Street Arts (Sheffield, UK): Motherland, May - June

Bonington Gallery (Nottingham, UK): Motherland, Homeland, February - March

Crane Kalman (Brighton, UK): Polyarnye Nochi, Jan-February

2009

South Hill Park Arts Centre (Bracknell, UK): We English, November - January

The Photographers' Gallery (London, UK): We English, September - November

Klompching Gallery, (New York, US): We English, September - October

2008

Blank Gallery (Brighton, UK): Motherland- Landscapes of Longing, October

Belfast Exposed (Belfast, N.Ireland): Motherland, January - March

2007

Klompching Gallery (New York, US): Motherland, October - December

Lodz Foto Festiwal (Lodz, Poland): Motherland, May

Photofusion (London, UK): Motherland, April - May

Pushkin House (London, UK): Motherland, March

The Photographers' Gallery (London, UK): Motherland, February - April

 

Selected Group Exhibitions

2012

Galeria de Arte SESI (Sao Paulo, Brazil): Observers: British Photography and the British Scene (From the 1920s to Now), September - December

Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma (Rome, Italy): Camera Work / FOTOGRAFIA - Festival Internazionale di Roma, September - October

Belvedere Museum (Noorderlicht Photofestival, Netherlands); Terra Cognita, September - October

Sifest (Savignano, Italy): Sin_Tesis, September - October

Flowers Gallery (London, UK): Uncommon Ground, July - September

White Cloth Gallery (Leeds, UK): The Great British Public, July - September

Dog Eared Gallery (London, UK): The Great British Public, June

Aubin Gallery (London, UK): The English Way, May - June

Australian Centre for Photography (New South Wales, Australia): Hijacked III: Contemporary Photography from Australia & UK, June - August

Griffith University Art Gallery (Brisbane, Australia): Hijacked III: Contemporary Photography from Australia & UK, April - June

Quad (Derby, UK): Hijacked III: Contemporary Photography from Australia & UK, March - May

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (Perth, Australia): Hijacked III: Contemporary Photography from Australia & UK, February - April

2011

National Library of Ireland (Dublin, Ireland): Martin Parr's Best Books of the Decade, July

Klompching Gallery (New York, US): Land, June - July

Down Stairs Gallery (Madley, UK): Heartlands, May - July

2010
Host Gallery (London, UK): Pieces of a song, December
Carrousel du Louvre (Paris, France): Electric Vision: BMW Paris Photo Prize, November
The Photo Gallery (Bristol, UK): Landscape, November
Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington DC, USA): 100 Portraits / Photographers, November
George Eastman House (Rochester, USA): What We're Collecting: Art/Not-Art, August - October
360 degrés (Quebec, Canada): Contemporary Landscape Photography, August - October
Kaunas Photo Festival (Kaunas, Lithuania): Duets and Duels - Night of Photography, September
Krakow Photomonth (Krakow, Poland): Aktualizacja UK, May

2009

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (Gateshead, UK): Parrworld, October - January

House of Sweden, FotoWeek DC (Washington, USA): What Lies Beneath: Nature & Urban Landscape in EU Photography, November

Paris Photo, Carrousel du Louvre (Paris, France): We English, November

Noorderlicht Photo Festival (Groningen, Netherlands): War Machines, September - October

3 White Walls Gallery (Birmingham, UK): Photography is dead / Rhubarb-Rhubarb, July

Royal Academy (London, UK): Summer Exhibition, June - August

C/O Berlin (Berlin, Germany): Visions of Our Time, Deutsche Börse Art Collection, May - July

New York Photo Festival (New York, US): Foto8 / Home for Good, May

Klompching Gallery (New York, US): Splash! April - June

Shinjuku, (Tokyo, Japan): This Day of Change, April - May

Format Festival (Derby, UK): Polyarnye Nochi, March - April

2008

Month of European Photography (Berlin, Germany): Blurring the Lines, November

Vanderbilt University Law School (Nashville, Tennessee): Dialogues, October - December

Pingyao International Photo Festival (Pingyao, China): Motherland, September

Royal Academy (London, UK): Summer Exhibition, June - August

Lumix Festival (Hannover, Germany): Motherland, June

New York Photo Festival (New York, US): Portraiture, May

Zeitgeist Art Gallery, (Nashville, Tennessee): Dialogues, May - June

Museum of Contemporary Photography (Chicago, US): This Land Is Your Land, February

Museum of Contemporary Art (Shanghai, China): Unseen, January - March

2007

Association Of Photographers Gallery (London, UK): Polyarnye Nochi, August

Les Rencontres D'Arles (Arles, France): Motherland - Evening Projection, June

Photo London, Old Billingsgate (London, UK): Motherland, May

Deutsche Börse Art Collection (Frankfurt, Germany): New Acquisitions, March - September

Royal Photographic Society (London, UK): 150^th International Print Exhibition, May - June

2006

Lianzhou International Photo Festival (Lianzhou, China): Motherland, December

Lennox Contemporary Gallery, (Toronto,Canada): Flash Forward / Magenta, November

Paris Photo, Carrousel du Louvre (Paris, France): Motherland, November

Kaunas Photo Days Festival (Kaunas, Lithuania): Motherland, September - October

PHotoEspaña Festival (Madrid, Spain): Descubrimientos PHE, June - July