Willie Robb (b.1980) is a Scottish artist, educator, filmmaker and photographer whose lens-based practice combines autobiography and current events. A graduate in Editorial Photography at the University of Brighton, his projects have expanded beyond traditional techniques into film production and alternative processes, the approach always being led by the subject matter.
“Willie Robb aims to create optimism, beauty and provoke thought from apparently insignificant surroundings. Often autobiographical, his work considers everyday life, with the understanding that it is important for artists to reflect the times they are living in.”
Emma Barford, Collection and Exhibitions Manager, Arts for Health
In addition to his personal work Willie Robb has created commercial photography and films for clients including V Festival, Macmillan Cancer Support, Red Bull and Peugeot. He is a firm believer in the necessity of encouraging and cultivating creative thought in early life having designed and led several workshops for the Princes Trust, the NHS, Orleans House Gallery, and MK Gallery. His first feature length film based in the North coast of Scotland is currently in production.
Exhibitions
2023:
Redcar Summer Exhibition – Redcar
(link)
2023:
Open Gallery Exhibition – Halifax
(link)
2023:
Natures Endurance Exhibition – Halifax
(link)
2020:
Arts For Health Exhibition – Milton Keynes
(link)
2020:
Everyday Delight - Näif
(link)
2020:
The Jeannie Avent Gallery London – DER DIE DAS
(link)
2019:
Lumen Margate Exhibition – 8 Minutes
(link)
2019:
Peterborough Museum Open Exhibition 2019 – European Ferries
(link)
2019:
Co-op(t) Coventry Exhibition – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
Chapel Walk Gallery Sheffield Exhibition – Spikes
(link)
2018:
Nunns Yard Gallery Norwich Exhibition – Parking Among Trees
(link)
2018:
Leeds Big Screen Video Showcase – Longshore Drift
(link)
2018:
Cupola Gallery Sheffield – Spikes
(link)
2018:
Unit 6 Gallery North Yorkshire – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
Bankley Gallery Manchester – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
London Independent Photography 30th – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
Left Bank Leeds Art Prize – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
Northern Light, Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
One Year Revolv, Safe House, London – Spikes
(link)
2018:
Ginnel Foto Fest, St. Matthew’s Ginnel, Ipswich – European Ferries
(link)
2018:
Live | Doorways | Nature Morte, Fringe Arts Bath – Spikes
(link)
2018:
Cooltsalon, Layden Gallery, London – Rush Hour
(link)
2018:
Artwaves Festival, Bridlington Spa – Longshore Drift
(link)
2018:
V.23 Gallery, London; Our Nature – SPIKES
(link)
2018:
Artizan Gallery, Torquay; The Art Of You - Parking Among Trees
(link)
2017:
Salisbury Cathedral; Blank Productions – Body of Writing
(link)
2016:
Kings House, Hove; Brighton Photo Fringe '16 - Spikes
(link)
2016:
Carmel by the Green, London; The Physical Fabric of Cities - Spikes
(link)
2016:
Foundry Gallery, Lewes; United Artists - Spikes
(link)
2014:
Edger Modern, Bath; The Tribe Prize - Spikes
(link)
2014:
The Shot I Never Forgot; Brighton Photo Fringe ’14
(link)
2012:
Various locations; Brighton Photo Fringe ’12 – Cede
(link)
2008:
The University of Brighton; Degree Show – 37.8 Degrees
2008:
Degree Art Gallery, London; The Signature Awards
2007:
The University of Brighton; 2nd Year Show – Hidden
Workshops
2023:
ARioT Studio Photography Workshop – MK Gallery
(link)
2022:
ARioT Studio Photography Workshop – MK Gallery
(link)
2022:
MK Young Photographer Pinhole Photography Workshop – MK Gallery
(link)
2022:
MK Young Photographer Portraiture Workshop – MK Gallery
(link)
2022:
Film Making Workshop – Offset Projects
(link)
2022:
Photo Collage Workshop – Orleans House Gallery
(link)
2021:
Parkour Photography Workshop – MK Gallery
(link)
2019:
Teenage Life and Outlook Photography Workshop – MK College
(link)
2019:
Painting with Light Photography Workshop - Milton Keynes Gallery
(link)
2019:
Secret Self(ie) Photography Workshop - Milton Keynes Gallery
(link)
2018:
Freelance Film Production Workshop Leader - Sparks
(link)
2018:
Coping with Circumstance Photography Workshop - Free Space Project
(link)
2016:
Blind Veteran Photography Workshop Leader - Blind Veterans UK
(link)
2014:
Princes Trust Photography Workshop Leader - The Princes Trust
(link)
Articles
2023:
LIGHTREADINGS a photography magazine - Naïf / Der Die Das
(link)
2018:
fLIP - Parking Among Trees
(link)
2018:
Wake Up Screaming - 8 Minutes
(link)
2018:
rûm Magazine - Spikes
(link)
2018:
Cooltzine #1 - Rush Hour
(link)
2018:
The Arts in Wiltshire - Body of Writing
(link)
2017:
Light Magazine - Reflections
2017:
Float Photo Magazine - Parking Among Trees
(link)
2017:
New Landscape Photography - European Ferries
(link)
2017:
On Landscape - European Ferries
(link)
2017:
Lenscratch - Parking Among Trees
(link)
2016:
Brighton Photo Fringe - Broadscape
(link)
2012:
Brighton Photo Fringe - CEDE
(link)
2008:
Source Photographic Review - Dupplin
(link)
2008:
The Telegraph - Dupplin
(link)
Awards
2019:
Peterborough Museum Open Exhibition 2019 – Shortlisted
(link)
2018:
Bankley Open Call – Shortlisted
(link)
2018:
Left Bank Leeds Art Prize – Shortlisted
(link)
2018:
Revolv One Year Call Out – Winner
(link)
2018:
Ginnel Foto Fest Awards - Shortlisted
(link)
2014:
The Tribe Prize, Edger Modern - Shortlisted
(link)
2014:
Moscow Photo Awards, Fotoloft Gallery - Honorable Mention
2012:
The Danny Wilson Memorial Award, BPF ’12 – Shortlisted
2008:
The Signature Awards, Degree Art Gallery London – Shortlisted
Education
2024:
TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Digital Marketing - Selby College
2005-08:
BA(Hons) Editorial Photography - University of Brighton
2004-05:
Foundation Photography- Distinction - Filton College Bristol
Experience
2019 - present:
Associate Artist - Milton Keynes Gallery
2009-17:
Freelance Project Manager - Standard8
2006:
Assistant Photographer - Adrian Turner
Testimonials
“His professionalism and attention to detail is invaluable....”
"Willie has done some fantastic work for us, from bringing to life the work of small community groups to a big launch event at the Amex stadium. His professionalism and attention to detail is invaluable in quick turnaround projects but he still has that all important ability to add the creative value to his video production."
Sally Horrox, Head of Marketing and Engagement, Sussex Community Foundation, May 2, 2023
“Willie was a pleasure to work with....”
"I contracted Willie to produce high quality photographs documenting a range of arts projects in the public realm that took place across Milton Keynes between Spring and Autumn 2018 – taking in various locations and multiple dates. Willie was a pleasure to work with. He was un-phased by the range of different projects that we asked him to attend, he was adept at managing his time in Milton Keynes and scheduling visits and locations to make the most of the time he had.
He was very good at keeping in contact with us wherever we were - when in the office and on site. We were really pleased that Willie was so hands-on, even turning up with his bike to cycle alongside some of our Pedalling Culture events. Overall, we are very pleased with the photographs that Willie provided and he fulfilled the brief perfectly. All the participants and audience members that we spoke to about Willie spoke very highly of him and his approach to photographing the events."
Lallie Davis, Cultural Projects Officer, Milton Keynes Council, January 15, 2019
“He is very professional and incredibly hard working....”
"Willie has photographed the Macmillan All Out Swim event for two years and the photos he takes always capture the day brilliantly. He is very professional and incredibly hard working. From the photos of the venue to swimmers in and out of the water his shots are great and paint a lovely picture of the atmosphere at the events. I would highly recommend Willie."
Floss Flint, Challenge Events Programme Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support, November 6, 2017
“I’d have no hesitation in recommending Willie....”
"I took a punt on Willie mainly because he was local! We needed someone to simply go away and put together six short films from charities we had funded to mark our tenth anniversary. It was such a busy time of year that we didn’t have the capacity to do much more than make the necessary introductions. After those introductions were made, I heard nothing more until Willie sent me the rushes which were nigh on perfect straight off – just what we wanted! I’d have no hesitation in recommending Willie or in asking him to work with us again."
Miranda Kemp, Communications and Marketing Manager, Sussex Community Foundation, January 10, 2017
“Highly rated, heavily recommended.”
"Willie is very reliable, always gets the job done and is very subtle about it when it involves clients, rooms full of people and so on. His skill area is wide, from people to more arty and FMCG projects. We even used him for a Parliamentary launch and the resultant work was fantastic. Highly rated, heavily recommended."
Duncan Mackenzie-Reid, Director, Head of Corporate Services, Pegasus PR, December 17, 2015
“...created an extensive portfolio of images that more than met the brief.”
"Willie was tasked with creating a natural photo shoot for a recruitment campaign using real members of the military community. Willie put all participants at ease, created an extensive portfolio of images that more than met the brief, and did so at short notice within a small time slot. I would highly recommend using Willie."
Tara Ovington, Head of Corporate Events and Special Projects, Bii, October 10, 2013
“...really helped us to bring our vision to life.”
“Willie Robb's creative style really helped us to bring our vision to life. His work is professional and his attention to detail was outstanding. The work was finished promptly and to an extremely high standard.”
Rob Darwin, Director, First Degree Golf Ltd, June 29, 2012
"I was particularly impressed with how he put everyone at ease."
“We hired Willie on short notice to film some vox pops for a client after a focus group. Given each of the people we filmed had a physical disability I was particularly impressed with how he put everyone at ease. The results were great too, we got good value on a short turn around time. Would certainly use Willie again.”
Alick Mighall, Managing Director, Miggle, March 24, 2013
"We would not hesitate in using his skills in the future."
“We used Willie on a very difficult shoot, made even more difficult by the extreme weather. Shooting a sailing race can be very challenging and the results from Willie were superb. We would not hesitate in using his skills in the future.”
Willie Tait, Master Distiller / Global Brand Ambassador, Isle of Jura Single Malt Whisky, November 6, 2011
"...precise, resourceful, creative and aware of our objectives."
“Willie photographed a group of our young people recently. He was precise, resourceful, creative and aware of our objectives. He also worked really well with our young people, which is very important to us. The photos Willie took for us were to brief and very professional.”
Melinda Edwards, Marketing Executive, The Princes Trust, December 16, 2013