Photographer Kevin Mackintosh was born in South Africa but divides his time between London, Paris and Cape Town.
Beginning his life as a photojournalist on newspapers in Johannesburg, he soon gravitated to fashion: “There was something about the controlled image that fascinated me.” Theatre and European cinema were also a huge interest, and the idea that a photograph could be controlled in a ‘frame’ fascinated him. Rather than follow a photojournalistic route where imagery is made up, pretty much in an instant, the crafting became the quintessence of the imagery. Sets, colour, casting and lighting all contribute to this vision and have become the signature of his work.
These facets are evident, equally, in his collaborations with the Bolshoi, Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies, shooting film and stills. He has also completed a series on the New York Philharmonic and collaborated with ‘Christie’s’ in their first worldwide advertising campaign.
Portrait work has included a series on Dame Vivienne Westwood, artist William Kentridge, ballet soloists Edward Watson, Marianela Núñez and Tamara Rojo, and actors Idris Elba, Keira Knightley and Riz Ahmed. Kevin has directed numerous films for luxury brands and fragrance houses.
Kevin’s first solo show was at the Obert Contemporary in Johannesburg and 34 Long in Cape Town, followed by the series Hero at the Deepest Darkest Art Gallery and group shows at the Zeitz MOCAA, both in Cape Town, and at numerous other galleries around the globe, including the AKAA Art Fair at Le Carreau du Temple and the Secret Gallery in Paris, and PAD in London.
His work has been exhibited across the world, both in solo and group exhibitions, and published in numerous magazines, photographic journals and books. His work was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London for their permanent collection and is also featured in private collections worldwide.