Photography Social - Stephen McCoy and Stephanie Wynne

In 1997 the photographers Stephen McCoy and Stephanie Wynne formed the partnership McCoy Wynne and they continue to work collaboratively, and separately, on commissions and personal projects. Generally commissioned work and self-initiated projects are undertaken with pooled concepts, reactions and image making. They find the interaction of the two to be mutually beneficial.

One of their more recent major collaborative projects ‘Are You Living Comfortably?’ is held in the University of Salford Art Collection and they continue to work on another long- term personal project: “Triangulation” shown in several venues as the work progresses, including The Northern Eye Festival and The Victoria Gallery and Museum, Liverpool.

They will talk about both of these projects and discuss working collaboratively both on personal projects and commissions for over twenty-five years.

Stephanie Wynne

Stephanie’s personal work is concerned with aspects of the landscape and the built environment; working with and photographing communities who are often tackling environmental change. In 2023 she undertook an artists’ research residency with Open Eye Gallery Liverpool culminating in a solo project ‘The Erosion’ shown as part of the Liverpool Look Climate Lab exhibition Jan to Apr 2024 and ‘Beyond Sight’ exhibition June to September 2024

From 2017 to the present Stephanie has been commissioned by the Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, and others to undertake Socially Engaged Practice photography projects. Expanding her practise, drawing on skills and expertise, to work in partnership with women’s groups in Wirral and young people in Sefton. In 2024 she collaborated with communities across the UK to create the exhibition ‘Grounded’ for the GroundsWell Consortium, a national public health research group based in the Universities of Edinburgh, Liverpool and Queens, Belfast.

She is currently a visiting lecture to the BA(Hons) Photography courses at University of Chester and UCEN Manchester.

Stephen McCoy

Stephen McCoy has had a long and varied career in photography being employed as a lecturer, free-lance photographer and working on long-term self-initiated projects.

His personal work is deeply rooted in the documentary tradition of photography although “concept” is highly important in the initiation of any project.

He is interested in the broad area of urban and natural landscape and the effects that people have upon their environment. In his early career he was influenced by the American New-Topographic movement and the photographers involved in the 1975 seminal exhibition.

Stephen McCoy’s work has been exhibited and published widely. Notably in 2019 a selection of his work was included in the exhibition “Home Sweet Home” shown at Recontres d’Arles and Institut pour la Photographie, Lille, curated by Isa Bonnet and in the book of the same name published by Textuel. Many of his projects have also been published by Café Royal books.

A major solo exhibition, entitled “Proximity” was shown at the Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, from November 2024 until January 2025. “Proximity” will also be shown at The Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol, from October 2nd 2025 until 21st December 2025.

He continues to work on long-term projects.

Steve and Stephanie’s work can be seen at:

http://mccoywynne.co.uk/projects.aspx

www.mccoywynne.co.uk

Photography Social speakers are supported by the Blackpool Photography Champion. Photography champions is a national initiative led by Photoworks, supported by public funding through Arts Council England's National Portfolio

Access

Important physical access info:

Please note that this session is upstairs. We are in the process of installing a lift, however due to unforeseen delays this is now due to be completed later in the year. The event space is up a single flight of 14 steps then you go around the corner and there are two small steps. Once you’re upstairs there’s a loo. You shouldn’t need to come downstairs for anything until the end of the activity.

If you have additional access needs (e.g. large print, BSL interpreter, level access) please let us know by emailing (using the contact organiser button/link) or sending us an SMS text/WhatsApp message on 07957 602790.

GETTING HERE

• Tram & Train to Blackpool North Station
• Bus: No 6 or 18 to Topping St., No 3, 3a, 5c, 6, 18 to Church St (Stanley Buildings), No 5, 5a, 5b, 6, 7a, 14 to Talbot Rd

• Driving: The closest pay and display car parks are on East Topping St and Talbot Road multi storey. There is also parking at the nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket, please make sure that you check the terms before you use the car park.