Felix Schoeller Photo Award 2021: The winners have been announced. The German Peace Prize for Photography goes to Nigeria.
From over 600 entries from a total of 95 countries, the jury of experts led by the internationally renowned portrait photographer Michael Dannemann selected today this year's winners of the Felix Schoeller Photo Awards. In the presence of the Mayor of the City of Osnabrück, Wolfgang Griesert, and the CEO of the Felix Schoeller Group, Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, the winners in the categories “German Peace Prize for Photography” and “Best Work by an Emerging Photographer” were honored. The five nominees in each award category joined the live broadcast of the virtual award ceremony, which was streamed from the “Kulturgeschichtliches Museum” in Osnabrück's Museumsquartier.
German Peace Prize for Photography for Emeke Obanor
This year, the 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 path to a self-determined future in peace," comments jury chairman Michael Dannemann 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 Michael Dannemann.
The German Peace Award for Photography is a joint initiative of the Friedensstadt Osnabrück and the Felix Schoeller Group and was awarded for the first time in 2019. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros.
Best Newcomer: Shirin Abedi with "May I Have This Dance?
The jury awards the title "Best Work by an Emerging Photographer" to Shirin Abedi. The photographer, who was born in Iran in 1996 and migrated to Germany at the age of seven, dedicates her poetic image series "May I Have This Dance?" to the Iranian ballet scene, which stands up for self-determination, freedom, and equality - in a country where, according to Iranian law, immorality and fornication are the consequence of sensual dance. While the abolition of ballet during the revolution symboliseded independence from the West, today dance stands for a generation's longing for Western freedom.
The award “Best Work by an Emerging Photographer”, endowed with 2,500 euros, is given to young photographic talents who are studying, undergoing vocational training, or assisting in photography. The works submitted in this category do not have a set theme.
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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We will be happy to provide you with image files of the nominees' and winners' work for publications in connection with this press release or information about the Felix Schoeller Photo Award! To do so, please send your request by e-mail to: sschniepp@felix-schoeller.com
More Infos: www.felix-schoeller-photoaward.com
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Press contact
Susanne Schniepp
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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
www.felix-schoeller.com
