About David

David Severn is a Documentary Photographer based in Nottingham, UK. His photography deals with themes such as the effects of deindustrialization, working class culture and social life within British post-industrial communities. Drawn to subjects that echo his experiences growing up in a former Coal Mining town in the East Midlands, David’s photographs seek to capture a sense of place shaped by his memories and cultural background.

David’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. In 2015 David was selected as a winner of Magnum Photos “30 under 30″, an international competition open to Documentary Photographers under 30 years of age covering social issues. He was nominated for the FOAM Paul Huf Award 2020.

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Exhibitions

  • 2022 National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield: Face to Face - Portraits of an Industry

  • 2022 Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol: Intersectional Geographies

  • 2020 Ffotogallery, Cardiff, Wales: Coal Cultures

  • 2019 The National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield: Miners of African Caribbean Heritage

  • 2019 Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire: Thanks Maggie & Newstead Village Youth

  • 2018 Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester: The Pit of Nations - Black British Coal Miners

  • 2018 New Art Exchange, Nottingham UK: The Pit of Nations - Black British Coal Miners

  • 2018 JCDecaux digital displays across UK: Portrait of Britain 2018 by British Journal ofPhotography

  • 2017 JCDecaux digital displays across UK: Portrait of Britain 2017 by British Journal ofPhotography

  • 2017 Nottingham Castle, Nottingham UK: Strangers Not Allowed On This Works, FORMAT International Photography Festival

  • 2016 JCDecaux digital displays across UK: Portrait of Britain 2016 by British Journal of Photography

  • 2016 Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, Paris, France: Flaneur, a perspective

  • 2015 Think Tank Gallery, Los Angeles USA: Life Framer Award Exhibition

  • 2015 Four Corners, London UK: Uncertain States Open Call Exhibition

  • 2015 Royal Albert Hall, London UK: Royal Photographic Society International Print Exhibition 158

  • 2015 NEC, Birmingham UK: Magnum Photos “30 under 30” Exhibition

  • 2015 One Eyed Jacks Gallery, Brighton UK: One Eyed Jacks Open Call Exhibition

  • 2014 Getty Images Gallery, London UK: Renaissance Prize 2014 Exhibition

  • 2014 National Museum of Singapore, Singapore: Singapore International Photography Festival

  • 2014 Royal Albert Hall, London UK: Royal Photographic Society International Print Exhibition 157

  • 2013 University of Derby, Derby UK: FORMAT International Photography Festival

  • 2013 Magnum Print Room, London UK: IdeasTap/Magnum Photos Award Finalist Exhibition

  • 2013 White Cloth Gallery, Leeds UK: Portrait Salon

  • 2012 St Peter Port, Guernsey UK: Guernsey Photography Festival

  • 2012 Nottingham Castle, Nottingham UK: Nottingham Castle Open Exhibition

Clients

  • The New York Times

  • British Red Cross

  • The Guardian

  • FT Weekend Magazine

  • Le Monde

  • Die Zeit

  • MONOCLE

  • The Sunday Times Magazine

  • Le Courrier

  • Rough Trade

  • WaterAid

Awards

  • Nominated - FOAM Paul Huf Award 2020

  • Honourable Mention - Photographic Museum of Humanity Grant 2017, New Generation Prize

  • Winner - Magenta Flash Forward 2016

  • Winner - Gold Under 30′s Award, Royal Photographic Society International Print Exhibition, 2015

  • Winner - Metro Imaging Mentorship Award, 2015

  • Winner – Magnum Photos “30 Under 30”, 2015

  • Finalist – Renaissance Prize, 2014

  • Finalist – IdeasTap / Magnum Photos Award, 2012

  • Winner – Grand Prize, Nottingham Castle Annual Open, 2012

Talks / Workshops

teaching

  • Hourly Paid Lecturer - BA Photography at Nottingham Trent University

  • Hourly Paid Lecturer - MA Documentary Journalism at Nottingham Trent University

  • Hourly Paid Lecturer - BA Journalism at Nottingham Trent University

COLLECTIONS

  • National Coal Mining Museum for England

  • Martin Parr Foundation Collection