A FORMER Oakwood student who is now an acclaimed photographer is returning home to Warrington.
Robert Watson, 53, a photographer whose life changed when he unexpectedly won an arts competition in Warrington, is bringing an exhibition to Warrington’s Museum and Art Gallery.
Robert, who also went to Appleton Hall, has work that regularly exhibits across London and Manchester, as well as oversees in photography events such as ‘Unseen Amsterdam’.
He also photographed the cover for ‘The Courteeners’ album, ‘Mapping the Rendezvous’.
The acclaimed Warrington photographer, credits his subsequent success with being recognised at the Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival in 2018.
He said: “Winning WCAF ‘18 was a phenomenal experience. Why it was satisfying to win boils down to one word – validation. It wasn't just my friends saying they liked my work; it was people who didn't know me who worked in an art environment.”
Robert has been taking pictures since he was a kid – a passion shared with his dad – but he has since said winning WCAF’s Open Exhibition with one of his stunning seascapes gave him the confidence and drive to leave his job and take up a career in the arts full time.
Robert described it as a fast transition becoming a photographer full time.
He said: “Had I not won WCAF and it had not kickstarted my career, I wouldn't have photographed The Courteeners album cover, Mapping the Rendezvous. It's very special to see your artwork on a record cover.
“Being born in the 60s, records were a big part of my life, and the album covers were always an amazing part of the experience.
“However, the single best moment was walking into Photo London Fair at Somerset House for the first time, not as a visitor but as an exhibitor.
“Photo London is one of the most highly regarded photography exhibitions in the world and collecting my lanyard and signing my book for people on my London Galleries stand will take some beating.”
Robert’s ‘Wyrd’ exhibit will be available to view between February 10 and April 16.
The homecoming exhibition features seascapes of Blackpool, and documentary style photographs of people kissing or embracing, taken in Manchester, Paris, and London.
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