Photography is an intrinsic part of contemporary life, enabling us to capture that tantalising moment in which words would only fail us. In order to showcase and champion the plethora of photographic talent surrounding us, the prestigious National Portrait Gallery in London will once again play host to the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize on the 14th November. As an esteemed promoter of photographic ingenuity, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize aims to exhibit the highly innovative work of the most talented emerging young photographers, thereby illustrating the diversity in modern photography. The illustrious prize intends to demonstrate the myriad of approaches within the portrait genre achieved by an impressive range of international photographers, all drawing on their various cultural heritages for inspiration.
A team of judges, dedicated to championing the very best in contemporary photography, has whittled the countless number of entries down to a shortlist of just four photographers. They include: Dorothee Deiss for The twins, Spencer Murphy for Katie Walsh, Giles Price for Kumbh Mela Pilgrim – Mamta Dubey and infant. Also shortlisted is enchanting photographer, Anoush Abrar, whose editorials have featured in the pages of Schön! Magazine. Most recently, Anoush captured the beguiling effect of the seaside with model Ilva Heitmann for the dreamy editorial, Ghost, in the pages of Schön! 22.
Photo portrait of Kofi Annan by shortlisted photographer / © Anoush Abrar
Born in Tehran but having lived in Switzerland since he was five, Anoush studied at the University of Arts in Lausanne where he cultivated his passion for photography. With his black and white portrait of the Ghanaian diplomat, Kofi Annan, who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations until 2006, Anoush captures a rare momentary lapse of control from the revered humanitarian known for his unfaltering political diplomacy, as Annan is caught with his eyes closed. Anoush’s wealth of experience and photographic control is clear through his strong use of black and white shadows to create a distinct depth to the portrait.
Sponsored for the sixth time by the international law firm, Taylor Wessing, the winner will recieve £12,000 in prize money as well as gaining international recognition as a truly respected portrait photographer. The distinguished award ceremony will be held on Novemeber 12th, with the subsequent exhibition showcasing the judges’ selection of sixty portraits chosen from over five thousand submissions entered by around two thousand photographers running from the 14th November 2013 till 9 February 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Words / Katie Shuff
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