The three finalists for the inaugural Accademia Apulia Photographic Award, have been announced after over 300 participants of all nationalities entered the competition.

The Photographic Award, Genius Loci, Spirit of Place and Cultural Diversity, was established in 2009 by Accademia Apulia UK to champion the importance of diversity in a fast-changing world. The Award is intended to inspire artists from different communities to reflect on their local heritage and customs, and how these, in turn, inform their own understanding of their community.

An international panel of judges, applauded the distinctive intepretations of all those who entered, but felt that the following three candidates best captured the spirit of the prize:

Alex Boyd

An award-winning photographer, Alex, 26, has several exhibitions under his belt. These include a solo show in 2010 housed in the Scottish Parliament building, Edinburgh. Alex, who lives in Ayrshire, presented breathtaking views of the pristine Scottish landscape. In all the frames an anonymous subject stands with his back to the camera, symbolysing the Scots relationship with nature.

Stefano Morelli

With a Chair for Visual Anthropology at the University of Florence, Stefano, 31, is currently working on a research project on migration using photography as a means of visual communication. Stefano presented a photographic essay that focused on the Roma’s existence on the fringes of society and their survival in Bregu I Lumit, a camp on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. His photos capture their struggle to maintain their own identity whilst being seemingly invisible to broader society. Stefano lives and works Viareggio, Tuscany

Matteo Sandrini

A Design and Arts graduate, Matteo’s project focused on the social dynamics of an ethnic diverse district of the affluent Italian city of Brescia where the locals there feel that the place has lost its local identity. For several days and always at the same time, Matteo, 25, positioned himself on the main street and photographed people passing by. Out of individual shots he created a composite image with individuals from multi-ethnic background lined up side by side, as in a collage of social integration.

The work of the three finalists is to be shown in a group exhibition on 11/02/2011 in the presence of cultural representatives from the UK and Italy, in association with the Patron of the Accademia Apulia UK, Nancy Dell’Olio. The Award Ceremony is to take place at the prestigious Royal Horseguards, Whitehall, where the overall winner will be announced and presented with a £1,000 cash prize.


The finalists will be flown to London for the award ceremony on 11/02/2011 to be held at the Royal Horseguards when the winner will be announced. Their work will be unveiled in a group exhibition in the presence of cultural representatives from the UK and Italy.

THE EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE A PRESENTATON OF ALL 25 SHORTLISTED PARTiCIPANTS' WORKS, WHO WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND THE AWARD CEREMONY.
Click here to view their submissions >>

Segnala:
Antonella Colaninno