“photography is closest to writing, not painting. It’s closest to writing because you are using this machine to convey an idea. The image shouldn’t need a caption; it should already convey an idea.” Mary Ellen Mark

HeadOn 2014 and Stills Gallery are privileged to showcase an exhibition of Mark’s work.

Mark’s career began when her photo essay of heroine addicts in London for “Look” magazine gained critical acclaim. Since then her commercial photography has covered production stills for over 100 films including Catch-22, Apocalypse Now and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

© Mary Ellen Mark

Mark’s fine art photography has always remained focused on “people on the edges” of society. She rises above mere voyeurism by meeting her subjects with a level gaze. She shows marginal worlds that matter to the people within them and in so doing, raises questions about why these worlds don’t matter to mainstream society.

© Mary Ellen Mark

Mark is that rare breed of photographer who lets her photographs speak for themselves rather than endlessly promote herself. She has a lifetime of honours and awards, including Cornell Capa Award, the World Press Award for Outstanding Body of Work throughout the years, the Victor Hasselblad Cover Award.

For more details about the exhibition please visit Mary Ellen Mark at Stills Gallery

bg-ctap-mobile bg-ctap-desktop

Head On Photo Awards 2024

Entries to the Head On Photo Awards 2024 open in May/June.

Image detail: Gary Ramage