ABOUT
Lucy Purrington is a Rhondda-based photographer whose work focuses on mental health and wellbeing, as well as the outdoors and the environment.
Neurodiverse.
Photographic Art BA(Hons) - First class.
Aside from photography, she volunteers with environmental and political groups and is the current chair of the award-winning Rhondda Litter Pickers & Environment group. One of her 'day jobs' is at a circular economy sustainability and arts CIC, Soaring Supersaurus based in Penrhys.
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In addition to her other work, she has volunteered with art groups in South Wales, using photography workshops to promote well-being and combat isolation. She has also installed exhibitions, co-curated shows, and invigilated gallery spaces.
OTHER COURSES
Supporting Wellbeing in Nature Level 2 Award Argoed Cymru 2024
Using Recycled Textiles Argoed Cymru 2022
Dementia Friends Workshop Sherman Theatre 2018
Supporting D/deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing Audiences With Jonny Cotsen 2018
Autism Awareness Training From Autism Puzzles Cymru 2018
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Hosted by Leila Usmani, Cardiff City of Sanctuary 2018
Visual Awareness Workshop From the Cardiff Institute for the Blind 2017
Digital Marketing Strategy Course With Arts & Business Cymru 2017
Designing Inclusive Creative Events From Voluntary Arts Wales 2017
2024
Exhibitions
-Part of the group exhibition with Catrin Doyle, 'Yn Berffaith Rhyfedd... Perfectly strange…' with photographs from NATUR Ponty, Lucy Powell, NATURponty Youth Forum and young people of Pontypridd at Mission Gallery, Swansea
-Joint exhibition with Catrin Doyle, NATUR Ponty, Lucy Powell, NATURponty Youth Forum and young people of Pontypridd at Canolfan Calon Taf
Publications
-Images from 'Aber Valley' project in the second issue of Tatws Siôn Cent
2023
Publications
-Feature article by David Mayne on Offline Journal
-Cover image on Poetry Wales 59.1 Summer edition
-Artist of the Month on Disability Arts Cymru
-Interview on Happy Goat Horror
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2022
Publications
-Artist of the Month and publication of selected photographic work from the ‘Self Portrait’ collection on Disability Arts Cymru
-Album artwork for Me Against Misery
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2021
Exhibitions
-Joint exhibition with Tracey Leonard of selected pieces from 'Adlais / Echo' at Pallet Guerrilla Galleries, Cardiff
Publications
-Interview in Horrified Magazine
-Collaborative artist feature with Leanne Webber (December issue) Magnificent Metamorphosis Magazine
-Collaborative artist feature with Leanne Webber Moonchild Magazine
-Collaborative artist feature with Leanne Webber (September issue) Magnificent Metamorphosis Magazine
-Artist feature on Aesthetics of Photography
-Many Voices, One Nation 2 photobook publication from Ffotogallery
-Photo from Many Voices, One Nation 2 at Ffotogallery featured on LFI
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection in The Working Artist print magazine
-Artist feature on The FLUX Review Instagram page
-Instagram feature on Interim Arts
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2020
Exhibitions
-Many Voices, One Nation 2 at Ffotogallery, Cardiff. Featuring the work of twelve talented photographers working in Wales today. My work included Audio Descriptions that could be accessed through QR codes underneath each artwork.
-Joint exhibition with Tracey Leonard titled 'Adlais / Echo' at The Workers Gallery, Ynyshir
This exhibition included Audio Description that could be accessed through QR codes alongside each artwork.
There is a virtual gallery that can be accessed here complete with Audio Descriptions.
-Photographic print of Patrick Jones in The Open Art exhibition at Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil
Publications
-Album artwork for Me Against Misery
-Image on WalesOnline from the Sherman 5 Stories photo-book
Presentation Events
-Royal Photographic Society, South Wales region interview and tutorial video on how to make creative portraits at home with no professional photography equipment
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Swansea Camera Club
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Dinefwr Photographic Society
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Western Valley Camera Club
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Gwynfa Camera Club
Postponed 23 March 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Aberdare Camera Club
Postponed 7 April 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Rhondda Camera Club
Postponed 22 April 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Llanelli Photographic Society
Postponed 27 April 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘NEW Creative and Surreal Portraits 2.0’ at Caerphilly Camera Club
Postponed 23 June 2020 / 21 Sept 2021- Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Hay Camera Club
Postponed 13 August 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Cardiff Camera Club
Postponed 16 September 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Afan Nedd Camera Club
Postponed 16 October 2020 - Presentation Evening of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Barry Camera Club
Volunteering
-Production of photography slideshow video for those who face isolation this Winter as part of the ‘Art on Tour’ initiative with the Rhondda Creative Community Group
-Leading the Photography Competition online activities as part of the Rhondda Creative Community Group
-Curation and installation and curation of Adlais / Echo exhibition at The Workers Gallery
-Curation and instillation of Zed Nelson's exhibition 'The Slate Sea & Other Stories' at The Workers Gallery
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2019
Employment
- Photography Workshop Facilitator with CCHA
-Sherman 5 Legacy Assistance at Sherman Theatre
Aug 2018 - May 2019
Residencies
-Day residency with Bel Blue from Artist On A Bench at The Workers Gallery, Rhondda
Exhibitions
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at That Cafe as part of Newport Art on the Hill
-Photographic print of Patrick Jones in the Open Art Exhibition at The Workers Gallery, Ynyshir
-Solo exhibition of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major as part of their week long events for World Mental Health Day 2019
-Group exhibition of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at Pallet at Porters, Cardiff
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at Lili Wen as part of RAFT Festival
-Screening of music video 'Bel Blue - Hanging On' during Disability Arts Wales Scratch Night at Western Studio at Wales Millennium Centre
Publications
-Interviewed for BBC Radio Wales, All Things Considered about Self Portraits and mental health at St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major
-Photographic print featured in the Glamorgan Gem & The Barry Gem for All Things Considered exhibition at St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major
-Photographic print of Patrick Jones featured on the album cover of 'Renegade Psalms' by Patrick Jones & John Robb
-Ffoton in conversation with Paul Cabuts (can be found here)
-Ffoton 'One Image' (can be found here)
-Design and curation of Sherman 5 Stories photo-book
Presentation Events
-Discussion and presentation of ‘Surreal Self Portrait Photographic Work’ at the Small Revolutions tour with Patrick Jones at Blaenavon Workman's Hall in association with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales Big Pit Coal Museum & Newport Rising
-Presentation of ‘NEW Creative and Surreal Portraits 2.0’ at Pyle & Porthcawl Photographic Society
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Abertawe Photographic Society
-Artist Talk about Self Portraiture at WAM, (Writers, Artists, Music) event in The Workers Gallery, Rhondda
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Neath and District Photographic Society
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Bargoed Camera Club
Volunteering
-Installation of David Hurn's exhibition 'Ynyshir, 25 Mile Radius' at The Workers Gallery
-Part of the photo shoot assistant team to David Hurn in association with The Workers Gallery, Ynyshir
-Supporting young artists during community events with the Rhondda Creative Community Group, RCCG
-Curation of work created by participants of the 'CCHA and Sherman 5 Photography Workshop' at Sherman Theatre
-Speaking with participants of the youth workshops about mental health and photography at St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major as part of their week long events for World Mental Health Day 2019
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2018
Employment
-Sherman 5 Legacy Assistance at Sherman Theatre
Aug 2018 - May 2019
-Creative Intern at Sherman Theatre with Arts & Business Cymru
Oct 2017 - July - 2018
Exhibitions
2018
-Solo exhibition of 'Sherman 5 Stories' at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Publications
-Publication of photographic work from ‘Memory’ collection in Contemporary Visual Art Zine
-Publication of photographic work from ‘Memory’ collection in Porridge Magazine
Presentation Events
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Newport Camera Club
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Caerphilly Camera Club
Volunteering
-Photography Workshop Facilitator on a pilot project with CCHA and Sherman 5 at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
-Ushering with Sherman 5 at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
-Supporting accessible performances as a Rep with Sherman 5 at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff​
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2017
Education
-First Class Honours Degree
Photographic Art - University of South Wales, Caerleon / Cardiff
Sept 2014 – July 2017
Employment
Creative Intern at Sherman Theatre with Arts & Business Cymru
Oct 2017 - July - 2018
Exhibitions
-Solo exhibition of 'Aber Valley' photographic work at the Nazareth in Abertridwr for the Aber Valley Arts Festival: Undercurrents
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at Aber Valley Arts Festival
-Exhibited selected photographic work from 'Aber Valley' at Art on the Hill Newport
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at Chester Art Centre’s ‘Open Exhibition 2017’ in Chester
-Exhibited video artwork ‘In a Landscape’ at Green Man Festival with Cardiff MADE pop-up art cinema
-Exhibited video artwork ‘Untitled’ at Fringe Arts Bath for 'Between' exhibition in Bath
-Exhibited video artwork ‘In a Landscape’ for ‘Epilogue’ exhibition at The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection at Elysium Gallery for 'The End is by Yur' exhibition in Swansea
Publications
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection in Good Art Guide
-Featured on PHOTOGRAD with medium format ‘Memory’ photographic work
-Publication of artistic writing in ‘Epilogue’ publication to accompany the exhibition of the same title in Cardiff
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection in Average Art Magazine
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection in Wot is Art? Magazine
Presentation Events
-Presentation of ‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Pyle & Porthcawl Photographic Society
Competitions
-Best overall artwork in the Aber Valley resident in Arts and Photography category at the Aber Valley Arts Festival
-Second Place position in the Aber Valley Arts Festival Photography Competition
-April Photo of the Month on Bob Books
Volunteering
-Ushering with Sherman 5 at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
-Supporting accessible performances as a Rep with Sherman 5 at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff​
-As a photographer for the Aber Valley Arts Festival; documenting the prize event and photographing all entries to the festival
-Single-handedly leading the fundraising, marketing, content creation, bookkeeping, and organisation for the graduate show, 'Epilogue' for Photographic Art BA (Hons) at the University of South Wales
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2016
Residencies
National Trust - Tredegar House, Newport June - Aug
Exhibitions
-Exhibited video artwork ‘Untitled’ at TactileBOSCH’s ‘Garden of Earthly Delights' as part of the Cardiff Contemporary Festival in Cardiff
-Exhibited photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection in Aber Valley Arts Festival
-Exhibited video artwork at National Trust’s Tredegar House in Newport
-Exhibited video artwork ‘Untitled’ at the Riverfront in Newport
-Exhibited video artwork at National Trust’s Tredegar House in Newport
Publications
-Publication of artwork on display at National Trust’s Tredegar House in Newport in The Caerphilly Observer
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ in IMIRAGE magazine
Presentation Events
-Presentation of ‘‘Creative and Surreal Portraits’ at Gwent Photographic Society
Competitions
-Second Place position in the Aber Valley Arts Festival Photography Competition & exhibited photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection in Abertridwr
Volunteering
-As an advisor to the board of Aber Valley Arts Festival
-Painting and preparation and collaborative curation of a group exhibition at the Riverfront in Newport
-Art exhibition guide and invigilator at National Trust’s Tredegar House in Newport
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2015
Publications
-Cover image and feature publication of selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ and ‘Portraiture’ collections in IMIRAGE Magazine
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ and ‘Self Portrait’ collection in Sheeba Magazine
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ and ‘Self Portrait’ collection in Honeysuckle Magazine Online
Presentation Events
-Presentation of ‘Surreal Photographic Work’ at Caerphilly Camera Club
Volunteering
-As an advisor to the board of Aber Valley Arts Festival
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2014
Exhibitions
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Self Portrait’ collection in the Fotofringe festival at Cardiff MADE
-Exhibited selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection at The Welsh Photographic Federation exhibition in Pontypridd​
Publications
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection in Needles and Pins Magazine
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection in Freque Magazine
-Publication of selected photographic work from ‘Portraiture’ collection in Freque Magazine
Competitions
-November Photo of the Month on PhotoProlab at Davies Colour​