Felix Schoeller Photo Award 2021: Emeke Obanor wins German Peace Prize for Photography.
On Saturday evening, 2 October 2021, the 'German Peace Prize for Photography' was awarded in a virtual award ceremony. With the series “Heroes”, the Nigerian photographer Emeke Obanor prevailed against top-class international competition. The “German Peace Prize for Photography” is a joint initiative of the internationally operating specialty paper manufacturer Felix Schoeller Group and the City of Peace Osnabrück. It comes with prize money of 10,000 euros. The winning work, as well as the work of all the nominees, will be exhibited at the Museumsquartier in Osnabrück from October 3, 2021, to March 6, 2022.
From almost 400 entries from a total of 95 countries, the jury of experts selected this year's winner of the 'German Peace Prize for Photography' on Saturday evening in the presence of the current Lord Mayor of the City of Osnabrück, Wolfgang Griesert, and the CEO of the Felix Schoeller Group, Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp. The virtual award ceremony was streamed live from the Kulturgeschichtliches Museum in Osnabrück's Museums quartier.
Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp addressed the nominated photographers in his welcoming speech: "The German Peace Award for Photography has once again made clear how important the pursuit of peace is and how photography as a medium can also make its contribution. Their pictures have fascinated and touched me in equal measure. But they also left me feeling pensive and angry about the fact that, despite all the civilization and social development we have achieved, we are failing in anchoring lasting peace and freedom in all areas of the world."
German Peace Prize for Photography for Emeke Obanor
This year's “'German Peace Award for Photography” goes to the contemporary art and documentary photographer Emeke Obanor. In his work "Heroes", the Nigerian shows girls kidnapped by the terrorist organisation Boko Haram who have managed to return to freedom. Although the girls were radicalised during their captivity, they have not lost faith and courage to fight for their education and thus a better future.
"With this outstanding work, Emeke Obanor shows us not only his hopeful heroines, but also their further path to a self-determined future in peace," commented jury chairman Michael Dannenmann on the jury's decision. "Heroes is a strong and impressive photo series that represents the German Peace Award for Photography in a wonderful and impressive way" continues the internationally renowned portrait photographer Michael Dannenmann.
The City of Osnabrück awarded the 'German Peace Prize for Photography', which was launched in 2019, for the second time in collaboration with the Felix Schoeller Group. The Peace Award, which is part of the Felix Schoeller Photo Award, honors work that conceptually address the topic of peace through the medium of photography. The concept of peace is defined very broadly. It can be peace between peoples as well as the peaceful coexistence in a country or in the family, or even inner peace. There is no limitation of the photographic genre. Participants can submit journalistic work as well as portraits, landscape photography, architecture, or free/conceptual work. The prize is endowed with 10,000 Euro.
Winners & Nominees Exhibition from October 3, 2021, to March 6, 2022
On October 3, 2021, the exhibition "Winners & Nominees 2021" will open at the Kulturgeschichtliches Museum, Osnabrück. The works of the winners and nominees in both categories will be exhibited there until March 6, 2022.
All works were printed on high-quality digital printing papers of the fine art paper brand CAPTURE X by the Felix Schoeller Group.
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Felix Schoeller Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Burg Gretesch
49086 Osnabrück
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Fax: +49 (0)541 3800-425
SSchniepp@Felix-Schoeller.com
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