RENAISSANCE 2011
Exhibition press release
Eve Arnold donates signed photo
for Renaissance Photography Prize
awards ceremony
20 photographers from 8 countries are waiting with bated breath
to discover the winners of the Renaissance Photography Prize
2011, to be announced at a celebrity private view on 23rd March
2011 at London’s Mall Galleries.
Now in its fourth year, the Renaissance competition invites
amateur and professional photographers to submit their images
for judging by some of the most distinguished photographers in
the industry. All proceeds from the competition and exhibition
are donated in full to the Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care, a
charity that supports younger women with breast cancer.
Following a review of a record 4,700 images from 61 countries,
celebrity photographer Brian Aris, gallery owner Michael
Hoppen, Philippe Garner, Head of Photography at Christies,
Rhubarb-Rhubarb’s Lorna-Mary Webb and Magnum Magnum
editor Brigitte Lardinois selected 100 images which will be
displayed at a week-long exhibition at the Mall Galleries, off
London’s Pall Mall.
There are prizes for the best photo in five categories:
Environment, Expression, Motion, Shape and Time. The overall
Renaissance is the brainchild of Fiona Gifford, a 38 year-old
lawyer and keen amateur photographer who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.
“I have been overwhelmed by the success of Renaissance and the quality of the photographs that we
have seen since the competition started. The competition is a great way for photographers to have their
work judged by some of the biggest names in the photography world while raising money for younger
women with breast cancer, over £130,000 thus far.
“What better way to celebrate life and the world around us than through photography? Photographs
allow us capture and connect with the world, and can be a source of inspiration in times of adversity.”
For more information, interviews or high-res images of last year’s winning photographs or of the 2011
event, contact Ashley Johnson on +44 787.247.3502 or contact info@renaissancephotography.org
Sponsored by
In aid of
Registered charity in England and Wales no. 1017658
Selection of 2011 shortlisted photographs: Shadow Dancer 1 by Anne Marie Arbefeuille (Shape category); Iola by
Richard Boll (Expression); Free on the Range by Peikwen Cheng (Motion); Coming Soon, Dudley Ga by William
Eckersley (Environment)
Renaissance Prize 2011 winner will walk away with £3,000, a
portfolio review with Rhubarb Rhubarb’s reviewers and a coveted
place on the Rhubarb Rhubarb 2011 Promenade.
For the first time this year there is a new prize for the best photo
taken on film, donated by Calumet (a Fujifilm GF670 Medium
Format camera). Of the 100 images selected for the exhibition, a
remarkable 37 were taken on film. Judge Brian Aris said “I was
personally thrilled to see so many entries shot on film in the
conventional way, which for me signals the future of photography
where hopefully digital and film can live happily side by side”.
The highlight of the exhibition is the champagne private view and
awards ceremony. Cherie Blair, actress Lulu, writer Kathy Lette
and comedian David Mitchell are among the celebrities who have
handed out awards in previous years; this year Lisa Snowdon and
Amanda Mealing are
already confirmed
names, with more to
follow.
Retired Woman, China ’79
Copyright Eve Arnold/Magnum
“The standard of this year’s
entries was extremely high
and very diverse, making the
final selection very difficult”
Brian Aris, Renaissance judge
There will also be a silent
auction of a signed print of Retired Woman, China ’79,
donated by Magnum photographer Eve Arnold. As with ticket
and photo sales, all money raised from the auction will go to
the Lavender Trust.