Royal Photographic Society Documentary Photographer of the Year 2021 Touring exhibition can be seen at Chippenham Museum until 12 November.
The RPS Documentary Photographer of the Year is an international competition attracting exceptional visual storytellers from across the world. Documentary photography is a unique medium that communicates the human condition seen through a moment in time. Documentary Group Chair, Mark Phillips, said “This year’s competition aimed to be much more inclusive to expand its reach, thus increasing its relevance. With over 3500 images from across the world and an international panel of judges, I think we’ve achieved that.”
While the Covid 19-Pandemic is seen as the paramount issue of the era, it is also important that other stories are told. The competition recognises and celebrates the work of photographers who have used a distinctive personal approach to documenting social, medical, political and environmental issues affecting communities and individuals. Judge Roy Mehta commented “The first thing that struck me was the level of commitment displayed by each of the winning artists. David Collyer offers us campaigning photojournalism from the front line of the NHS during the first wave of Covid. Debsuddah Banerjee’s work, Made in India, explores the psychological struggle of his elderly unmarried aunts, who lead a socially isolated life being discriminated due to their skin colour.”
For her work ‘Ka Dingiei’, Aishwarya Arumbakkan becomes the first winner of the Student Category, which was launched this year to encourage the next generation of photographers.
The touring exhibition showing a selection of work from the winning entrants and runners-up can be seen at the Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3HF.
Councillor Nick Murry, Chair of the Amenities, Culture and Leisure Committee said of the exhibition: “We are delighted to have the work of such talented photographers on display in our town and I would encourage people to come and take a look. Chippenham Museum is privileged in being the only venue in the South West to be showing this insightful exhibition.”
The exhibition will be opened for viewing until Saturday 12 November 2022. Opening hours at the Museum are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Monday to Saturday, Closed Sunday. Entry is Free.
