Biography
Mary McCartney is an established photographer based in London, now translating her portraiture skills into high-end filmmaking. Both her live action and photographic work focuses on discovering rare moments of unguarded, emotionally-charged intimacy. She has recently collaborated on commercial projects for esteemed brands such as Mandarin Oriental, Selfridges, De Beers, Liberty, Huawei, Instagram, Stella McCartney, and The Brits... Her filmmaking style concentrates on the world of portrait and dynamic, yet honest reportage, that is infused with deep emotional undertones.
2018 sees Mary embark on two further commissions as the official Director/Photographer for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Their 'I'm a Fan' campaigns see Mary traveling the globe collaborating with some of the world's most highly sought-after celebrities including; Isabelle Hubert, Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, and Dev Patel to name just a few.... In 2017 Mary combined her portraiture and filmic expertise with a launch film for Stella McCartney's new perfume 'Peony', showcasing her ability to empower women by filming Arizona Muse in an intimate and private bathroom setting. The film reached critical acclaim from UK fashion trades, and was acknowledged nationwide via the media.
Mary reacts to her wide variety of subjects as spontaneously as they are studied, encapsulating the inspirations, vulnerability, histories, and personalities of each of them.
McCartney's exhibitions and publishings include "Off Pointe" (an in-depth photographic study of the Royal Ballet after hours) a selection of works are available to view as part of the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (2018) the body of work was first shown at The Royal Opera House, London (2004); "British Style Observed," at the National History Museum, London (2008); and "From Where I Stand," at the National Portrait Gallery and Michael Hoppen Gallery, London (2010). The two-volume book "Monochrome Colour" was published by GOST in 2014, with a concurrent exhibition curated by de Pury de Pury. "Mother Daughter" first showed at the Gagosian Gallery in NYC (2015) and again at Fotografiska, Sweden (2018). Continuing her study of the unseen Mary captures behind the scenes of Mark Rylance as Olivia in the play Twelfth Night and his ensemble cast pre, during and post-performance. The books title 'Twelfth Night 15.12.13' (2017) published with HENI Publishing shares with us, as quoted by Mark "a rare peep backstage that Mary has captured so spontaneously". Mary's most recent project 'The White Horse' an intimate portrait of rider and horse is published with Rizzoli USA (2018).
