Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2016


Interesting exhibition at the Photographers’  Gallery for the shortlisted entries in this annual photography prize awarded to a photographer for a specific body of work in an exhibition or publication format.

My favourite section was by Erik Kessels which explored the relationship between him and his father via the work his father did to refurbish a car. He photographed every element of the car and the work done on it including making a new wooden steering wheel. The centre of the display was the part finished car in the state it was in when his father died. The installation looked at memory and loss and was very moving.

Laura El-Tantawy’s installation was based on her book of photographs looking at rising tensions in Egypt and consistent of one static screen and others of rolling images. Trevor Paglen, who won the prize, examined mass surveillance and data collection but I admit I didn’t really understand the commentary and how the works hung together. Finally Tobia Zielong had taken wonderful pictures of African refugees activists living in Europe. I loved an image of a woman with a manicured hand against a tree bark.

Closed on 3 July 2016.

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