Andrew Catlin

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Andrew Catlin
Born1960 (age 6465)
London, England
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipBritish
Education Durham University
Occupation(s)Photographer, artist, director, cinematographer
Years active1981–present
ChildrenAlexander, Felix
Parent(s)Harry Catlin, Joan Catlin
AwardsPrince Philip Prize
Website www.andrewcatlin.com

Andrew Catlin (born 1960) [1] is an English photographer, artist, director, cinematographer and filmmaker. His work has been widely published, and is included in numerous collections, books, exhibitions and archives.

Contents

His work is held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. [1]

Life and work

Catlin grew up intrigued by both arts and science. His childhood was spent in London in the 1960s during a period of great transformation and social change. His father, Harry, was the son of a carpenter from the Midlands, who moved to London in the 1950's to work at the BBC. His mother, Joan, was from the north east of England, growing up in county Durham, before coming to London to study English and then finding work at the BBC, where she met Harry.[ citation needed ]

Catlin had early interests in ethology and also photography, which was encouraged by his father, himself a keen photographer. In 1978, Catlin was awarded the Prince Philip Prize for Zoology by the Zoological Society of London for a research project completed while at school. [2] After attending University College London, he continued his studies with a psychology degree at Durham University before returning to London to do a research degree in Learning and Development at University College London.

During this time he developed his interest in photography. Early work for NME , Melody Maker , Smash Hits , POP and Spin quickly extended to other publications, and commissions from record companies, musicians, designers and artists internationally. His work appeared on record sleeves, books and magazine covers. He was one of the photographers chosen to document the Live Aid concert in 1985 and was the largest single contributor to the subsequent exhibition and book. [3]

During the 1980s he began directing music videos. [4] During a visit to Japan while working with Bryan Adams, he was experimenting with a Super-8 movie camera, when Adams asked if he would film one of his live songs. The black and white clip that followed was reviewed by Chrissy Iley in Direction Magazine as a great debut.[ citation needed ] His second video, for the Cowboy Junkies track, Blue Moon was given a feature in Direction:

"Blue Moon surprised me, impressed me, and I'm hard to impress, especially with performance videos. Its approach is not clinical or technical or corporate. But its flickered lights and sepia faces strike a mood that few directors of the three-minute clip even bother to think necessary. The facial expressions are important to him, and are carefully monitored with his portraiture eye. Fortunately, MTV shared my view and put it on heavy rotation."(Chrissy Iley).[ citation needed ]

Catlin was Director of Photography for Elements of Mine, a film by Egyptian director Khaled El Hagar which was awarded First Prize in the Toronto Moving Pictures Festival (MoPix Award 2004). [5]

In 2008, drawing together experience from photography, filmmaking and graphic design, he began a project called "The Matrix Series", exploring graphic compositions with complex multi-frame narratives.[ citation needed ] Each piece was shot as a set of images designed to interact in multiple dimensions, combining elements of time, movement, rhythm, narrative and graphic structure, while remaining within an essentially documentary framework. In his essay "Nine Hastings Photographers" Vasileios Kantas proposes that

"Andrew Catlin's imagery formations could be considered as a study on perception. His matrix suggests a unique syntax, of which the visual elements have been formed partly coincidentally - the subject's actions - and partly in a controllable way - the photographer's decisions. The way the sub-frames are selected and positioned in the matrix is preconceived, though it does not serve the linearity of time which seems to be loosened, if not abolished. The display of the sub-frames allows different reading strategies, seemingly serving many goals simultaneously."

Sean O'Hagan, photography writer for The Observer , notes

"In his Matrix series, he has somehow merged the rigorously formal with the luminously observational. Whereas the likes of Blossfeldt and the Bechers created visual typologies, arranging plants and industrial water towers respectively in grids that echo the natural and man-made sameness of their subjects, Catlin has used the grid format to render a series of what he calls "critical" moments. The resulting images are both formally detached and acutely observational, ordered yet intimate. ... Andrew Catlin is a photographer with a scientific eye. He is obsessive, meticulous and rigorous, but also a quiet, unobtrusive observer of the everyday sublime. It shines brightly though his big pictures." [6]

In 2021 he produced an exhibition and book of portraits, Rebel Song, exploring the connections of history and faces of Irish music. Excerpts from the book were presented by The Irish Cultural Centre in London, with commentary:

"Rebel Song; Faces of Irish Music is a collection of photographs of some of the most important musicians who changed the face of Irish Music into the international force it is today. With the words of Irish song's, quotes from the musicians, and written commentaries on Irish history and on British colonial rule in Ireland, published throughout – what emerges is a powerful and sublime book which charts the evolution from Irish folk, into rebellious Rock, Pop and Protest Songs and Punk, which burst into the sounds and voice of a nation's resistance and exploded onto a global stage.

What's so extraordinary about the book is that its author, photographer Andrew Catlin, is an Englishman, who knew nothing about Irish history at the outset. While producing the book Catlin underwent a journey of discovery to find the connection between Irish music, the history of Ireland, and the passion, power and intensity of some of the greatest Irish songwriters and performers of the last 50 years.

Catlin says "Many of the references in Irish songs – people and places that in Ireland carry a heavy weight of history – have no meaning at all in England. You feel the strength of emotion, but unrecognised names seem quaint or unimportant. It can be shocking when you find a familiar song is about a shameful episode of British brutality." [7]

His photography is held in major collections and archives worldwide, including The National Portrait Gallery in London [8] The National Gallery of Ireland, and the Schwules Museum in Berlin. [9]

Exhibitions

Publications

Books: photography credits

Record covers: selected photography credits

TitleArtistYearComment
18 Til I Die Bryan Adams 1999Photography
So Far So Good Bryan Adams 1993Photography
Please Forgive Me Bryan Adams 1993Photography
All I Want is You Bryan Adams 1991Photography
Waking Up the Neighbours Bryan Adams 1991Photography
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Joan Armatrading Joan Armatrading 2000Photography
Happiness Lisa Germano 1993Photography
Wishful Thinking Propaganda 2012Photography
25: The Greatest Hits [CD/DVD] Simply Red 2008Photography
25: The Greatest Hits [Single Disc] Simply Red 2009Photography
3313 Susheela Raman 2007Art Direction, Photography
Actually Pet Shop Boys 2001Photography
Anthology Bryan Adams 2005Photography
Anthology [2007] Bryan Adams 2007Photography
Automatic The Jesus and Mary Chain 1989Photography, Portraits
Automatic [DualDisc] The Jesus and Mary Chain 2006Portraits
Babi Yar/Drill FACT 266 Steve Martland 1989Photography
Balinese Dancer Chuck Prophet 1993Photography
Barbed Wire Kisses The Jesus and Mary Chain 1988Photography
The Best of Aztec Camera Aztec Camera 1999Photography
The Best of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Nick Cave 1998Photography
The Best of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds [Bonus CD] Nick Cave 2001Photography
Big Blue Ball Big Blue Ball 2008Photography
Big Cock King Kurt 1986Photography
The Brit Box: UK Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last MillenniumVarious Artists2007Photography
Brother Aldo Chuck Prophet 1990Design, Photography
Burnin' the Ice Die Haut 1983Photography
Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings of 10,000 Maniacs 10,000 Maniacs 2004Photography
Capital Letters: The Best of Ruefrex Ruefrex 2005Photography
Chains Changed Throwing Muses 1987Photography
Cleaner Light Kristin Hersh 1999Portraits
Collection, Pt. 2 Christy Moore 1997Photography
Coming Home Yungchen Lhamo 1998Photography
Complete Studio Albums Box Sugarcubes 2006Photography
Crock of Gold Shane MacGowan 1997Photography
Church of the Holy Spook Shane MacGowan 1994Photography/Design
That Woman's Got Me Drinking Shane MacGowan 1994Photography/Design
Candleland Ian McCulloch 1989Photography
Proud to Fall Ian McCulloch 1989Photography
Mysterio Ian McCulloch 1989Photography
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo Echo and the Bunnymen 1988Photography
Love The Cult 2009Photography
Darklands The Jesus and Mary Chain 1987Photography
Stories of Johnny Marc Almond 1985Photography
Don Juan Demarco [Soundtrack]Various Artists1995Photography
End of the Millennium Psychosis Blues That Petrol Emotion 1988Photography
Essential Pogues The Pogues 1991Photography
Fairytale of New York The Pogues 2012Photography
Sally Maclennane The Pogues 1985Photography
Final Flame That Petrol Emotion 2000Photography/Art Direction
First of a Million Kisses/Ay Fond Kiss/Mirmama Fairground Attraction 2002Cover Photo
Forbidden City Electronic 1996Photography
George Best The Wedding Present 1987Photography
George Best Plus [George Best Plus] The Wedding Present 1997Photography
Griller Ut 1989Photography
Here Today, Tomorrow The Sugarcubes 1989Photography
Hips and Makers Kristin Hersh 1994Photography
Hips and Makers Your Ghost 1993Photography
Hollywood Town Hall The Jayhawks 1992Photography
Waiting for the Sun The Jayhawks 1992Photography
Honey's Dead The Jesus and Mary Chain 1992Photography
Inconsiderate Bitch Lisa Germano 1994Photography
Into the Blues Joan Armatrading 2007Photography
Islands Mike Oldfield 1987Photography
It Was the Best of Times Supertramp 1999Photography
Just Like Everybody [LTM] 23 Skidoo 2008Photography
Just Say AnythingJust Say Yes1991Photography
Tambolero Totó La Momposina 2014Photography
La Candela Viva Totó La Momposina 1993Photography
Live 1987 The Wedding Present 2007Photography
Live Aid [DVD Boxed Set]Various Artists2004Photography
Live! Live! Live! Bryan Adams 1995Photography
Lonely, Cryin', Only [#1] Therapy? 1998Photography
Love Bites & Bruises: Wonder Stuff Anthology The Wonder Stuff 2001Photography
The Lost Are Found Claudia Brücken 2012Photography
Love Trap Susheela Raman 2003Photography
Vel Susheela Raman 2010Photography & Design
Ghost Gamelan Susheela Raman 2018Photography & Design
Lovelife Lush 1996Portraits
Lovesongs for Underdogs Tanya Donelly 1997Photography
Lovesongs for Underdogs [Japan] Tanya Donelly 1998Photography
Merge Arthur Baker 1989Photography
Mirmama Eddi Reader 1991Photography
Mysterio Ian McCulloch 1992Photography
Dug For Love Ian McCulloch 1992Photography
Candleland Ian McCulloch 1992Photography
Proud to Fall Ian McCulloch 1992Photography
Never Loved Elvis The Wonder Stuff 1991Photography
Never Loved Elvis [Bonus Tracks] The Wonder Stuff 2000Photography
Patrol Steve Martland 1994Photography
Picture Book [Bonus DVD] Simply Red 2008Photography
Please/Further Listening 1984–1986 [Bonus CD] Pet Shop Boys 2001Photography
The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities The Jesus and Mary Chain 2007Photography
Blues from a Gun The Jesus and Mary Chain 1989Photography
Teethgrinder Therapy? 1992Photography
Nurse Therapy?1992Photography
Semi-Detached Therapy? 1998Photography
Sidewalking The Jesus and Mary Chain 1988Photography
Automatic The Jesus and Mary Chain 1989Photography
POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND THE BEATS – Public Enemy's Greatest Hits [Edited Version] Public Enemy 2005Photography
Power to the People and the Beats – Public Enemy's Greatest Hits [Explicit Version] Public Enemy 2005Photography
Pretty Deep [#1] Tanya Donelly 1997Photography
Pretty Deep [#2] Tanya Donelly 1997Photography
Provision Scritti Politti 1988Photography
Real Sugar Paban Das Baul 1997Photography
Retro New Order 2002Photography
Retro [Bonus CD] New Order 2002Photography
Ricks Road Texas 1993Photography
Rum Sodomy & The Lash [Expanded] [Bonus Tracks] The Pogues 2005Photography
Salt Rain Susheela Raman 2001Photography
The Same SkyHorse1990Cover Photo
Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest HitsVarious Artists1995Photography
Semi-Detached [Bonus Tracks] Therapy? 2000Photography
Seven Songs [LTM] 23 Skidoo 2008Images
23 Skidoo 23 Skidoo 1983Photography
Sharks Patrol These WatersVarious Artists1995Photography
The Shouting Stage Joan Armatrading 1988Photography
Sky Motel Kristin Hersh 1999Portraits
Slave to Love: Best of the Ballads Bryan Ferry 2000Cover Photo
Slave to Love: Best of the Ballads [Japan] Bryan Ferry 2000Cover Photo
Square the Circle Joan Armatrading 1992Photography
Still Burning Mike Scott 1997Photography
The Snake Shane MacGowan 1995Photography/Art Direction
The Snake [Bonus Track] Shane MacGowan 2000Photography
So Far So Good Bryan Adams1993Photography/Art Direction
The Sound of the Smiths [Deluxe Edition] The Smiths 2008Photography
Sounds of the Eighties: 1986Various Artists1994Photography
Tommy (1985–1987) The Wedding Present 1988Photography
The Culling Is Coming 23 Skidoo 1983Photography
Language 23 Skidoo 1984Photography
Trilogy The Pogues 2006Photography
Bedbugs & Ballyhoo [LP] Echo & the Bunnymen 1988Photography
The Very Best of Echo & the Bunnymen: More Songs to Learn and Sing [CD/DVD] Echo & the Bunnymen 2007Photography
Volume Two [World's End Ltd.]Various Artists1991Photography
Voyage Christy Moore 1989Photography
Wave of Mutilation: Best Of Pixies Pixies 2004Photography
Where is My Mind? Pixies 2004Photography
All Shall Be Well Virginia Astley 1992Photography
Had I The Heavens Virginia Astley 1996Photography
Way Down Below Buffalo HellWay Down Below Buffalo...1993Photography
Real World 25Various Artists2014Photography
A Week or Two in the Real WorldVarious Artists1995Photography
Wildest Dreams Tina Turner 1996Photography
The Stars We Are Marc Almond 2002Photography
Sweet Ride Belly 2002Photography
This Is It Faith No More 2003Photography
NurseTherapy1992Photography
TeethgrinderTherapy1992Photography
Wembley 1996 Bryan Adams 2016Photography
The First Kiss of Love Cronin 2016Photography
Tomorrow Never Knows Susheela Raman 2016Photography
The Queen Between Susheela Raman 2014Photography
The Sound of the Smiths The Smiths 2008Photography
The Best of 25 YearsSting2011Photography
Icon 2Public Enemy2014Photography
Wave of MutilationPixies2004Photography
Sky MotelKristin Hirsch1999Photography
Wildest DreamsTina Turner1996Photography
Cleaner LightKristin Hirsch1999Photography
Live AidVarious Artists2004Photography
Power to the People and the BeatsPublic Enemy2005Photography
Bring the Noise/SophisticatedPublic Enemy1988Photography

Filmography

Music videos: director of photography credits

Music videos: director credit

Music longforms / concerts

Films and documentaries: directing credits

Films and documentaries: director of photography credits

Collections

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Andrew Catlin - National Portrait Gallery". Npg.org.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  2. "Zoological Society of London Prince Philip Award Winners" (PDF). ZSL. 13 July 1978. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  3. "Live Aid: World Wide Concert Book by Peter Hillmore & Bob Geldof". Live Aid. 13 July 1985. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  4. "Andrew Catlin technician videography". Mvdbase.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  5. "Elements of Mine". DanceLab Berlin. 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  6. "MATRIX by Sean O'Hagan". Trinity 7. 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  7. "Bob Geldof at 'Live Aid' 1985; a photograph taken by Andrew Catlin". Irishculturecentre.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  8. "National Portrait Gallery – Person – Andrew Catlin". Npg.org.uk. 27 April 1988. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  9. "Schwules Museum*". Schwulesmuseum.de. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  10. "Boomtownmedia: Elements Of Mine". Boomtownmedia.de. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  11. "Official Website". Gumball3000.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2013.

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