Kathryn Martin (b.1972) is a photographer who lives and works in East Sussex. She graduated in French from The University of Hull and then later studied at The London College of Printing. From 2000, she worked in London for over 12 years as a documentary photographer, primarily focusing on editorial work and environmental issues. During this time Kathryn was also a photographer for Neal’s Yard Remedies where she spent 3 years documenting the company’s relocation from Battersea to Dorset and whilst at NYR she developed her knowledge of plants, in particular native wildflowers and herbs. Following the Rio Earth Summit and the implementation of Agenda 21, Kathryn worked for several environmental organisations carrying out practical and photographic projects to help inner city communities learn about nature and reduce their carbon footprint.
With her studio now based in the South Downs National Park, Kathryn’s work explores traditions, stories, memories and relationships of the individual to the landscape. In 2021 she had her first solo show in London at Egg entitled ‘Come, See Real Flowers of This Painful World’, the title being taken from a haiku poem by Matsuo Basho and showed 49 native wildflowers collected on a repeated walk in 2019 and 2020. This series was also shown at The Hillcrest Art Centre in Newhaven and selected framed prints were displayed at Dover Street Market. An online exhibition accompanied the show and images were published in The Observer.
In 2022 she was commissioned by PhotoFringe Festival to work with the local community and archive at Newhaven Museum to explore the theme of utopia. Summer workshops resulted in large-scale collage works and were exhibited outside as part of the festival. In June 2023, as a result of her exhibition at Egg, Kathryn was invited to Taigh Whin in the Scottish Highlands to be the organisation’s first artist in residence and is now working on a new series inspired by the geology and flora of the Highlands as well as a book to be published in 2024 by ‘Jane & Jeremy’ which includes the Downland plants and new work about Itford Hill, where she lives. Between personal work, teaching and commissions, Kathryn has also worked for House Biennial and the Brighton photography development agency, Photoworks.
