Results
IWPA is pleased to present the Laureate and the four Finalists of 2023 for the Professional Category, as well as the Laureate and Finalist of the Emerging Category and the Winner of the IWPA Special Mention.
Laureates, Finalists and IWPA Special Mention
Professionnel Category
Laureate
Lee-Ann Olwage (South Africa), The Right To Play
Finalists
Louise Amelie (Germany), Missing Member
Luisa Dörr (Brazil), Imilla
Alena Grom (Ukraine), Stolen Spring
Rayito Flores Pelcastre (Mexico), Chirping of Crickets
Emerging Category
Laureate
Sara Bennett (USA), Looking Inside: Portraits of Women Serving Life Sentences
Finalist
Natalia Garbu (Moldavia), Moldova Lookbook,
IWPA Special Mention
Lorraine Turci (France), The Resilience of the Crow
THE AWARDED PROJECTS
Laureate - Professional Category:
Lee-Ann Olwage (South Africa)
The Right To Play
Through the series "The Right To Play," artist Lee-Ann Olwage portrays the girls from the non-profit organization Kakenya's Dream, which aims to promote the independence of young Kenyan girls through education, awareness, and various projects contributing to their empowerment. Faced with numerous challenges prevalent in rural areas of Kenya, such...as poverty, low education rates, extremely harmful medical practices, and child marriage, young girls are the primary victims. The artist collaborates with these girls who have escaped female genital mutilation and child marriages, presenting them in a series of artworks depicting them as self-reliant and resilient individuals in a playful and positive atmosphere.
Lee-Ann Olwage hails from South Africa. Her work focuses on identity, celebration, and collaboration. Her goal is to create a space where the people she collaborates with can take an active role in image creation. Her works have been exhibited in numerous galleries as well as at the World Press Photo Exhibition. She is also a member of Native, Women Photograph, and African Women in Photography.
Finalists - Professionnel Category:
Rayito Flores Pelcastre (Mexico)
Chirping of Crickets
Artist Rayito Flores Pelcastre's work addresses the painful subject of filicide. She recalls, when she was 8 years old, a classmate who hid scars under the sleeves of his sweater, the result of abuse inflicted by his father. This memory stayed with her, and as a mother today, it weighs even more heavily on her. Her series of portraits of victims of psychological and physical abuse on bioplastic seeks to depict vulnerability through images and objects associated with different cases of mistreatment. The visual archives used for this series come from actual files collected by the civil organization LAE in Mexico, which helps child survivors of family violence and with which the artist has collaborated for several years. This moving series plunges us into the dark reality of domestic violence.
Rayito Flores Pelcastre is from Mexico. Trained as an architect and photographer, her works have been exhibited at events such as the XIX Photography Biennale of Mexico and the New York Latin American Art Triennial 2022.
Luisa Dörr (Brazi)
Imilla
This photo series, taken in Bolivia and titled "Imilla" (meaning "young girl"), features young girls wearing the "pollera," a traditional Bolivian skirt. Once a source of discrimination due to its origin imposed by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, this skirt is now proudly reclaimed by a new generation of young skateboarders in Cochabamba, the third-largest Bolivian city. These works follow the collective "Imillaskate," founded by Dani Santiváñez and her friends, aiming to reconnect with the indigenous origins shared by more than half of the Bolivian population while promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and diversity among women. It's a vibrant and enlightening exploration through an inspiring series of photos.
Luisa Dörr is a Brazilian photographer. She primarily works with female portraits to develop a gentle narrative that explores the complexity of nature and femininity. She won the 3rd prize at the World Press Photo in 2019, and her works have been published in TIME Magazine, The New York Times, and National Geographic, among others.
Louise Amelie (Germany)
Missing Member
"What does 'migration' represent for those who have stayed in their home country?" Through this series, artist Louise Amelie explores the global phenomenon of migration and portrays the individual stories of the residents of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. This country, nestled between China and Kazakhstan, and its capital, in particular, are home to a young population that faces the world with great confidence despite the challenges of the post-Soviet reality. This series is imbued with an indescribable and palpable empathy and solidarity, seeking to depict the various facets of immigration, between great opportunities and the loss of loved ones.
Louise Amelie is a renowned photographer known for her captivating documentaries and street photographs. She recently published the book titled "Missing Member" in 2023, which received critical acclaim. Her works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions, including the CSR Art Contemporary Show Room and the Berlin Bishkek Art Weeks in Berlin.
Alena Grom ( Ukraine)
Stolen Spring
The reconstruction of lives after the destruction of the Kiev region by Russia has begun. Alena Grom, the author of the series "Stolen Spring," lives in Bucha and works in Irpin. Her daily life consists of witnessing a military landscape that has been ravaged and the restoration efforts of the local residents. The protagonists of the photos are women who have been victims of the Russian aggression. The occupation continued throughout the spring, preventing the residents from witnessing its beauty and the renewal it represents. In the words of the artist, "a stolen spring is a stolen life." Each of the photos represents a personal tragedy but also the story of a survivor, of survivors—a hope that Ukraine will rise from its ashes.
Alena Grom is a Ukrainian photographer. Her work is centered on war through a subjective experience and cultural memory, where she recreates events from her own life as artistic documentary. Her works are exhibited in international galleries.
Laureate - Emerging Category:
Sara Bennett, (USA)
Looking Inside: Portraits of Women Serving Life Sentences
In the series titled "Looking Inside: Portraits of Women Serving Life Sentences," the artist portrays different women of all ages who have been sentenced to life imprisonment for homicide. Sara Bennett visited these women to learn more about their lives and was moved and saddened by each of their stories. She aims to demonstrate that these women, who are described as "hardworking, resilient, dignified, introspective, and full of regrets," are not defined solely by the actions for which they were convicted.
Sara Bennett, after working as a public defender for 18 years, decided to turn to photography, focusing on women serving life sentences both inside and outside of prisons. Her work is widely recognized and is regularly exhibited, including in solo exhibitions. Her works have also been published, notably in The New York Times.
Finalist - Emerging Category:
Natalia Garbu, (Moldova)
Moldova Lookbook
This series is part of a project that the artist has been working on for several years, with the goal of creating a national visual identity for Moldova. This country, which is relatively young in its existence, is still in search of its identity and its place in the world. With "Moldova Lookbook," Natalia Garbu takes us on a journey through Moldova, a land of vibrant colors and strong contrasts, where life is good. Natalia Garbu is a Moldovan photographer. After studying economics, she decided to pursue her passion for photography. Her work has been exhibited at the Galeria OU in Moldova.
Finalist and Special Mention IWPA
Lorraine Turci, (France)
The resilience of the Crow
The series "The Resilience of the Crow" documents what it means to be Ainu today. Before Japanese colonization, the Ainu people lived in the territory of Hokkaido. Thanks to the resilience of these people, Ainu culture doesn't solely belong in museums; it is very much alive and thriving, with the Ainu community maintaining a strong identity. These photos depict Ainu life, their hopes, compromises, daily practices, communal living, the duality of preserving and reinventing their own culture, and ultimately, ordinary people. As the artist puts it, "Aren't we all ultimately searching for our identity? »
Lorraine Turci is a French photographer. She studied at the School of Fine Arts in Nantes and the Faculty of Arts at the University of Paris 8. Her work focuses on the complex relationships between humans and their environment. She has won several awards and has been exhibited in France and around the world, including at the Norway Nordic Light Festival and the Gacilly Festival.
The Prizes
Laureate - Professional Category :
- Artist residency at Les Récollets, Paris, December 1st to 31th, 2023, with the airfare covered by MPB.
Laureate - Emerging Category:Laureate:
- Artist residency at Les Récollets, Paris, Noember 1st to 31th, 2023,
- A brand-new Canon camera to capture their photographic journey.
Recipient of the IWPA Mention:
- A €500 voucher at MPB to enhance their photographic equipment.
Our rewards also include:
- A personalized online support for enhanced visibility by Spéos.
- Individual online coaching on various professional subjects by EFTI
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The International Women in Photo Association (IWPA) is announcing its OPEN CALL, running from the 1st of May to the 30th of June 2023, for women photographers to submit their entries for the 7th edition of the award. Submissions can be done online on the IWPA website www.iwpa.fr.
Open to women photographers of all origins, and those who identify as women, the call invites submissions in any field of photography, from fine arts to photojournalism or documentary. The jury composed of eminent figures from the international art and photography community will choose one laureate, four runners up and special mentions. Since its creation, the IWPA prize has been open to amateur photographers, a special mention is created for the first time on the 2023 edition.
The IWPA Award is a photography award organized by the International Women in Photo Association, aiming to promote women photographers and their narratives. The focus lies on showcasing series that reflect the world we inhabit through the unique perspectives of women. The works delve into the myriad challenges faced by our global society, encompassing topics such as social equity, ecological balance, health and well-being, and individual identity.
Over the past years, the award has attracted thousands of women photographers of different origins and cultural backgrounds, with over 750 submissions in 2022 from a record number of 95 countries, representing all continents.
IWPA addresses issues of gender equality and aims to promote the voice of women by giving visibility to their stories. The association tackles the under-representation of female photographers, stereotypes, and narrow roles for men and women. We encourage women to take their rightful place in various forms of cultural expression as well as in the social decision-making process. Acting on a global scale, IWPA is committed to concrete actions for change through its annual photography Award and projects such as MyPhotoMyVoice, which supports vulnerable populations through photography, or the EDU program, which aims to provide certified photography training to photographers from countries of the Global South.
Revealing women's voices for change, we invite all women photographers to share their extraordinary stories with us and the world!
Timeline for the IWPA Award 2023
▪ May 1, 2023 - Submission start
▪ June 30, 2023 24:00 (midnight) Paris time - Submission deadline
▪ July 2023 - Announcement of the shortlisted candidates
▪ September 2023 - Announcement of Laureate and Finalists
▪ October/November 2023: Traveling exhibition tour starts - Geneva, Paris, Dubai, Riyadh (dates to be confirmed)
▪ November 2023: Exhibition at the Foreign Correspondent Club Japan, Tokyo
Awards Rules
▪ Free theme
▪ Submission period: May 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023.
▪ Submission deadline: June 30th, 2023 (midnight UTC+1hour)
▪ Required documents: a consistent series of 10 photos in JPEG format, CV, and series statement
▪ Each candidate can only submit one photos series
▪ Minimum age is 18 years
▪ Submission is free of charge
▪ IWPA supports the prints
▪ Criteria for photographs:
- Digital or silver digitized images in low definition, color or black & white.
- No signatures, watermarks or other copyrights affixed to the photographs.
- Free photographic subject in accordance with French law for artistic expression
Eligibility
The participation is open to all women photographers (and those who identify as women), amateurs or professionals, regardless of nationality, working in any field of photography.
Judging Criteria
The photographs will be judged with respect to the photographic and artistic skills, originality and impact by an international jury of eminent personalities from the world of photography.
Jury Member 2023
▪ Johan Trujillo Argüelles, Director-Centro de la Imagen (Mexico)
▪ Leticia Maciel, Director/Founder- Espace_L art gallery (Switzerland)
▪ Atalanti Hadjipateras Moquette, Founder-Giving Women (Switzerland)
▪ Lou Tsatsas, Senior Editor- Fisheye Magazine’s website (France)
▪ Amelie Rose Schüle, Curaror FOAM
▪ Diane Dufour, Director of le BAL, (the Netherlands)
▪ Samantha MacCoy, Magnum Gallery Director (France)
▪ Steven Lee, Founder and Director, Kuala Lumpur Photo Awards (Malaysia)
▪ Isabelle Mallez, Culture Ville de Paris, (France)
▪ Céline Mas, ONU Femme Présidente, member of the Haut Conseil à l'égalité (France)
Rewards
For the Laureate, Finalists and Special Mentions
· Worldwide exposure and visibility through international traveling exhibitions and conferences
For the Laureate
· Solo Show (location and date to be confirmed later)
· Article in media such as the French magazine Fisheye, and other international medias
For the Finalists
· Residency - to be decided by the jury
· Photography training courses at the Spéos Photography School
For the Amateur Category
· Canon camera (model to be announced soon)
Entrada actualizada el el 11 oct de 2023
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