Artwork by Lua Ribeira

Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 2018

Discover the winners of this prestigious award for outstanding photographic talent.

The Jerwood/Photoworks Awards recognise outstanding future photographic talent and enable three artists to develop their practice and create new work. Founded in 2015, the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards has established itself as a unique national opportunity, supporting progress, process and artistic risk.

Following a national open call, Alejandra Carles-Tolra, Sam Laughlin and Lua Ribeira were selected from over 350 applicants. The three awardees benefited from a year’s mentoring with an extensive panel of internationally-renowned specialists including photographers Anna Fox, Mitch Epstein, publisher Michael Mack, and gallerist Maureen Paley.

The resulting work reflects diverse approaches to photography, both in the subjects explored as well as each artist’s distinctive approach to image making. 

In Where We Belong, Alejandra Carles-Tolra has photographed a community of ‘Janeites’ who celebrate Jane Austen’s work, dressing up in Regency period clothing and performing activities to keep the novelist’s words alive. Sam Laughlin’s A Certain Movement focuses on patterns of animal behaviour and intricate natural processes. Lua Ribeira’s Subida al Cielo (Ascent into Heaven) is a personal vision built on the fear of dying, utilising symbolism, mythology and drama.

The Jerwood/Photoworks Awards are a collaboration between Jerwood Charitable Foundation and Photoworks, supported by Arts Council England.

Artwork by Lua Ribeira
Pesadilla Ligera (Weightless Nightmare), from the series Subida al Cielo (Ascent into Heaven) © Lua Ribeira, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Artwork by Lua Rubeira
Paloma (Dove), from the series Subida al cielo (Ascent into Heaven) © Lua Ribeira, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 2018 — Impressions Gallery
From the series Where We Belong © Alejandra Carles-Tolra, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 2018 — Impressions Gallery
From the series Where We Belong © Alejandra Carles-Tolra, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 2018 — Impressions Gallery
Adders basking (Vipera berus), from the series A Certain Movement © Sam Laughlin, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Artwork by Sam Laughlin
Honeybee Swarm (Apis Mellifera), from the series A Certain Movement © Sam Laughlin, originally commissioned through the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, 2017
Exhibition at Impressions

Our visitors say...

“Great to see work from new, young talent – there’s not many award schemes around like this one!”

“Each work commands the viewer to listen to it. Very powerful images.”

“Loved the diversity of subject matter and approach from all three photographers.”

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