Mandy Barker is an international award-winning photographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work addressing marine plastic debris has received global recognition. Working alongside scientists and researchers, Barker aims to bring awareness to plastic pollution in the world's oceans and highlight its harmful effects on marine ecosystems and human health.[1]
Born in Hull, East Yorkshire, Barker studied an Art Foundation Course at Hull College before completing a BA Graphic Design at Newcastle Polytechnic. Later in life she studied HNC Photography at Harrogate and an MA in Photography at De Montfort University.
After graduation she began investigating marine plastic debris, collaborating with scientists to raise public awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans,[3] examine and record the scale of the problem, and encourage viewers to take action.
Barker has exhibited in more than 30 countries since 2011. To reach and engage a wide audience she has presented work in diverse spaces including galleries, marine debris conferences, site-specific installations, harbours, beaches and marine environments.
2017 Prix Pictet “SPACE”, touring 12 international venues including; The Victoria & Albert Museum, Zurich, Tokyo, Stuttgart, Moscow, Dublin, San Diego, Houston, Rome & Athens[29]
2021 “Broken Nature” MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York City, United States[33]
2021 ‘Planet or Plastic’ National Geographic Texas State Aquarium, United States[34]
2022 ‘Follow the Water’ ‘DIP Sea KISS’ Mebuyan’s Vessel, San Juan, La Union, Philippines
2023 ‘The Stuff of Life/The Life of Stuff’, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich, UK
2023 ‘Throwaway - the History of a Modern Crisis’, The House of European History, Bruxelles, Belgium[35]
2023 ‘Future is Now’ SHELF-LIFE Copernicus Science Centre, Warsaw, Poland[36]
2024 ‘Confession to the Earth’, Chungmu Arts Center Gallery, Seoul, South Korea[37]
2024 ‘Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre’, Natural History Museum, London[38]
2025 “Photographs of British Algae” Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, London[39]
2025 “Flowers - Flora in Contemporary Culture”, Saatchi Gallery, London
2025 International Photography Festival of Castilla y León 2025, Palencia, Spain[40]
2026 “STILL(FFS) Landskrona Foto Festival, Sweden
Education & Impact
Barker’s work is rooted in public and community engagement, with a focus on raising awareness of plastic pollution among younger generations.
She has spoken internationally, leading talks, workshops and residencies, including in remote and environmentally vulnerable regions such as the Philippines and the Solomon Islands,[41] to highlight the harmful affects of plastic pollution and climate change on ecosystems, and to encourage participants to reduce plastic use and consumption.
In 2019, she collaborated with Stanford University’s Communications Program to launch a multi-platform 360° virtual reality experience highlighting the global prevalence of plastic use.[42]
In September 2024, Barker discussed her work in the context of Pope Francis’ reflections, speaking with Mons. Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontificia Accademia per la Vita, and reflecting on her exhibition Oceans: From Renoir to Microplastics, which included seven series of her work and was visited by over 100,000 people.[43]
Talks and Seminars
2017 - Steppes Beyond, The Royal Geographical Society, London, guest speaker. 30 September - 1 October
2018 - National Geographic Photography Seminar - speaker, Washington DC, United States, 11 January
2018 - Almedalen - seminar on behalf of the British Embassy & British Council - Visby, island of Gotland, Sweden
2024 – “Oceans: Beauty and destruction” - Reflections on the work of Mandy Barker and the thoughts of Pope Francis’ Talk with Mons. Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontificia Academia per la Vita.
2023 Photographic Society of America - IUTP Award 2023 - Honouring living photographers whose work has had a unique impact on the world by focusing attention or changing perceptions.[48]
2025 Arles Les Recontres de la Photographie 2025 Book Awards - Author Book Award - ‘Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Imperfections’ - Shortlisted [49]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
