About Us
Hi! We are Mike Pinnington and Laura Robertson, co-founders. We’ve been publishing The Double Negative magazine since 2011: contemporary, independent arts and culture criticism (online & occasional print) from Liverpool.
We’re very proud to platform new artists and working-class writers from all across the UK, whilst being based in one of the most significant cultural cities in the UK.
If you’re into the arts, and keen to hear what’s happening in British art scenes outside of London, then say hi, give us a follow! We’re magazine fanatics, freelance critics (for BBC, frieze, ArtReview, Art Quarterly etc.), lecturers, and very curious (that’s us working in Helsinki, below, for the Finnish Art Agency).
We wouldn’t be able to cover the ground we’re able to without our contributors: publishing over 500 local, national and international writers since 2011, at various stages of their careers. Many have published their first article with us, receiving training, mentoring and formal fellowships. We are working-class, and believe in widening participation and the demystification of the publishing sector.
We, the editors and contributors, have utilised The Double Negative as a springboard to write for key international magazines and newspapers, including ArtReview, Frieze, Art Monthly, The Art Newspaper, a-n, VICE, Art World, Dazed, the Guardian, the Independent, Aesthetica Magazine, Corridor 8, Creative Tourist, Garageland, Shanghai International, Ocula, Tate Online and more.
Learn more about our contributors in Little Black Book, above.
Contact
Mike Pinnington (TDN co-founder, full-time editor) is a freelance writer and editor based in Liverpool. He has been published by Art Quarterly, ArtReview, Ocula and byNWR, and is currently on a full scholarship ‘PhD by Publication’ programme of study at Liverpool John Moores University, where he also teaches Design and Art History. From 2013-2018 he held the role of Content Editor at Tate Liverpool, working with the exhibitions and communications teams to deliver the galleries’ interpretation, web content, and in-house zine, Compass.
Email mike[at]thedoublenegative.co.uk
Personal website with more writing: mikepinnington.cargo.site
Laura Robertson (TDN co-founder, contributing editor) is a freelance writer and critic based in Liverpool. Her work has been published by frieze, Elephant, Hyperallergic, Art Monthly, ArtReview and The Guardian amongst others; she is an MA Writing alum of the Royal College of Art; and a former director and trustee of The Royal Standard Gallery & Studios. She is Lecturer in Photography Theory, specialising in teaching neurodiverse students at The University of Greater Manchester, a socially inclusive and widening participation HEI.
Email laura[at]thedoublenegative.co.uk
Personal website with more writing: laurarobertsoniswriting.cargo.site
Branding, visual concept and design
The Double Negative visual concept, from colour to logo, was brought to reality in a collaboration with two design gurus: John Wai and Mike Carney. We are grateful for their continued support and friendship.
Past Editorial Assistants
ARTS: Journalism NCTJ Diploma graduate Vanessa Wheeler
ARTS: Artist and History of Art postgraduate (University of Manchester) Heather Garner
DESIGN: Graphic Arts (Leeds) graduates Matthew Buckton and Sam Garroch (Culture Diary)
Past Guest Editors
ARTS: John Moores Critic Award Winner and freelance writer Linda Pittwood (Shanghai International, Aesthetica Magazine)
MUSIC: Musician and journalist David Tate (Line Of Best Fit, Clash Magazine, Bido Lito)
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