Prize-winning Portraits by Top Portrait Photographers at NPG

Peter Zelewski, Nyaueth © Peter Zelewsk, one of the prize-winning portraits. Image courtesy of NPG

REVIEW: Prize-winning portraits by cutting-edge contemporary portrait photographers take center stage at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Image: Norma by Teena Taylor one of the photographers whose works are on display at NPG — Teena Taylor-Norma, 2004 © Teena Taylor. Prize-winning portraits. Image courtesy of NPG

LONDON- Presently at the National Portrait Gallery, London, is the annual exhibition showcasing new work submitted by some of the most exciting and cutting-edge contemporary photographers, for this year’s Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2015. Also in the show are the prize-winning photographs and those selected for inclusion in the exhibition from 4929 submissions entered by 2201 photographers from 70 countries.

Prize-winning Photographs

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2015 went to David Stewart, a London-based photographer, for Five Girls 2014. His winning entry is a group portrait photograph of the photographer’s daughter and her friends. The second prize went to Anoush Abrar for his photograph of a young boy titled Hector. Peter Zelewski, won the third prize for Nyaueth, one of the images from his series titled Beautiful Strangers. This is a series that challenges the concept of traditional beauty. Tereza Červeňová won the John Kobal New Work Award for her photograph Yngvild.

ART NEWS | READ ALSO: Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2015 Goes to David Stewart

The change of rules for this year’s submission allowed for the most innovative entries. Photographers got the opportunity for the first time to submit works as a series in addition to stand-alone portraits. In addition, there was no minimum size requirement for prints. The result of the new rules is the amazing collection of portrait photographs on display at the National Portrait Gallery. They come from some of the most exciting and cutting-edge contemporary photographers from across the globe.

The photographs on display at the National Portrait Gallery show a diversity of styles. They also and reflect the international mix of entries from some of the amazing photographs from across the globe. Each image highlights the individual photographer’s creativity and varied approaches to the genre of portraiture.

Alongside the winning photographs on display and those selected for the exhibition are new works by Pieter Hugo. These are previously unseen prints from a new body of work by the award-winning South African photographer. The exhibition of Hugo’s prints marks the first In Focus display. The annual exhibition notably showcases new work by an internationally renowned photographer. It is presented alongside the photographs selected from the Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize entries.

According to the National Portrait Gallery, Hugo was selected “for his uncompromising, insightful and occasionally provocative approach to portraiture.” Hugo’s prints offer an insight into his current portraiture project in which he photographs children who were born in Rwanda and South Africa after 1994– a year that saw momentous events in the history of both nations.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

Since the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize began in 1993, it has become one of the most important platforms for portrait photographers. Equally important are the amazing entries from across the globe. An international competition, the portrait photography contest offers an unparalleled opportunity for celebrated professionals, emerging photographers, and amateurs alike to put their work before a large audience.

Tim Eyles, Managing Partner, Taylor Wessing LLP, sponsors of the photography contest for the past eight years puts the impact of the portrait photography competition succinctly:

After eight years of sponsoring the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, we continue to be inspired by the range and merit of the thousands of photographs submitted from around the world. The winning portraits shone through with not only their creativity, quality and emotive subjects, but also with their universal appeal.