About — Max Ferguson

artist / educator / photo editor

biography

I use text, archives, found materials and images to exploit memories, build communities and have fun with art. My goal is to learn (from my mistakes).

I’ve been a bike mechanic, a chair painter and an unpaid intern at small and big galleries. For five years, I was the photography director of a fashion magazine. I’ve been a teaching assistant, associate lecturer, tutor, senior lecturer; I’ve taught in universities, darkrooms, libraries, community groups, colleges and lecture theatres. I’ve been creative director, photo editor, post-person, office-bitch, tea maker, cleaner and handyman. I have consulted, designed and advised. I set up my own publishing press and developed free studio residencies for young artists. I work for a literature magazine.

I made my bed and now I lie in it.

solo exhibitions and books

2026 The Towerblock, Peckham24, London
2026 Whiplash Memorial, KOPPEL Collective, London

2025 Whiplash Memorial, IC Visual Labs, Bristol
2025 Whiplash Memorial (WIP), published by Oval Press
2025 Turbulence, Klättermusen, London

2024 Deadfall, Photobook Cafe, London
2024 Deadfall, Village, Manchester
2024 Deadfall, published by Oval Press

2023 Whistling for Owls, published by Oval Press
2023 The Portrait Photographer’s Manual, published by Thames & Hudson

group exhibitions

2025 Iterations, Figure 8, Ensō House, London
2025 Dream States, Splash & Grab / Bow Arts, London
2024 Figure.8, Campbell Works, London
2022 On Purpose, Serchia, Bristol

residencies

2026 The Amber House, Greece
2025 Splash & Grab / Bow Arts, London
2025 Ensō House, Portugal
2024 The Amber House, Greece
2024 Klättermusen, Norway

selected teaching

Arts University Bournemouth
Autograph ABP
Bath Spa University
Birmingham City University
Create Jobs
Falmouth University
Getty Images
Goldsmiths, University of London
London College of Communication
London South Bank University
Magnum Photos
Norwich University of the Arts
Photofusion
Ravensbourne University
The Photographers' Gallery
University of Huddersfield
University of Plymouth
University of the West of England

© Maria Arola Rovira

contact

info@max-ferguson.co.uk
@maxferguson

ovalpress.co.uk
splashandgrab.co.uk

education

2023 MA Photography, UWE
2012 BA Photography, UWE

2026 PGCert Academic Practice, UAL

current experience

LCC _ senior lecturer
Granta Magazine _ photo editor

Oval Press _ founder
Splash & Grab _ founder / editor

past experience

Port Magazine _ photo director
FT Weekend Mag _ freelance photo editor

selected clients

Apple
Stella McCartney
Photoworks
Jerwood
Magnum Photos