THE ARTISTS FORUM proudly concluded its newly relaunched PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION, showcasing 9 finalists and highlighting our 2021 Competition Theme: (THE) POLITICS OF EMOTION.
Our 2022 Official Selections were created by photographers originating from 4 countries: Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. See their portfolio links and work samples below.
Winners were announced at our Juried Arts Awards on December 28th, 2021, held virtually from New York City. The awards show was hosted by comedian DC Benny and features a cameo appearance by Canadian photographer/activitist Leah den Bok (See video clip below).
Thank you to our 2021 Photography Jury Panel: Ricky Bradford, Meesh Bryant, Leah den Bok, Lou Manna, Todd Ford, Kate Garner, Nalinee Darmrong, Amos White V
THE ARTISTS FORUM PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION, part of our juried arts programming, is open to photographers of all levels seeking to gain exposure in the New York City and international arts and media market.
Its mission is to provide an accessible platform for photographers to present their best work for juried selection, increase artist communication and business contacts, provide career advancement opportunities, and publicly award talented artists.
Each submission, reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, was rated upon its individual merits. Finalists in each category will be judged against one another and a winner declared. Our list of competition winners is forthcoming.
All selected finalists are eligible for a television studio or Zoom interview to be promoted on our online platforms and via THE ARTISTS FORUM: AFTV – a 20+ year arts based television program broadcasted from mid-town Manhattan in New York City.
Many thanks to our juror Meesh Bryant, who has provided our Grand Prize Winner with an exclusive mentorship from BOLT – a London-based independent photography agency representing photographers in the UK and US.
THE ARTISTS FORUM INC., now in its 23rd year, is a New York City based non-profit arts service organization specializing in events, juried competitions, and media for artists. The organization provides an unparalleled platform for emerging and mid-career artists to share their stories with the world’s creative communities.
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2021 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION – FINALISTS, JUDGES, AND WINNERS
WINNERS LIST
2021 PHOTOGRAPHY WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: “Unable to Hide” by Harry James Dwinell (US)
SECOND PLACE “U.S. (Unwholesome Shelter)” by 江峰 Jiang Feng (Taiwan)
THIRD PLACE: “To Walk Quietly on Tiptoe” by Fashiel Tamimi (Hong Kong) (Student Entry)
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Selena Kearney for “Object Ritual”
2021 PHOTOGRAPHY FINALISTS
Harry Dwinell – Honest Reflection (US)
Harry Dwinell – Dancing Through 63 Years (US)
Harry Dwinell – Keeping Warm (US)
Paul Gatto – Holding Hands (Canada)
Student Category Finalist:
Natalie DeAbreu – Ghost Voice (US)
FINALISTS & WINNERS SUBMISSIONS
DANCING THOUGHT 63 YEARS
(2020)
Photographer: Harry Dwinell (US)
A Vermont couple slow dancing in their living room, celebrating 63 years of marriage.
GHOST VOICE
(2021)
Photographer: Natalie DeAbreu (US) – Student Entry
Part of the Ghost Voices series – follows how the concept of cyborgs would be viewed through the Latin Indigenous lens. Utilizing designs from the Taino and Inca (models origins) the future may have looked drastically different without colonization.
HOLDING HANDS
(2015)
Photographer: Paul Gatto (Canada)
Two fellow Maine Media College students hugging.
HONEST REFLECTION
(2020)
Photographer: Harry Dwinell (US)
One of the nine photographs from Keeping Face – a photo essay project seeking to shed light on people’s potential mental states during quarantine. Mirrors are used as a gateway into the mind.
KEEPING WARM
(2018)
Photographer: Harry Dwinell (US)
Taken as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia one night during the cold season, with local children sitting around a small fire to keep warm – laughing, telling jokes, and stories. It’s a moment I am incredibly grateful I was able to capture.
OBJECT RITUAL
(2020)
Photographer: Selena Kearney (US)
I feel shame when I wear my regalia. I feel like a character and a fraud wearing feathers, cedar, and beads gifted to me by my beloved community. Yet, a ritual takes place in my mind when I go from wearing street clothes into wearing my regalia…
TO WALK QUIETLY ON TIPTOE
(2021)
Photographer: Fashiel Tamimi (Hong Kong) – Student Entry
A studio-based constructed photography that uses subtle imagery to reflect on the democracy movement in Hong Kong, intersecting themes of cultural identity.
U.S. (UNWHOLESOME SHELTER)「美」國
(2019)
Photographer: 江峰 Jiang Feng (Taiwan)
This photograph is part of a series that juxtaposes the torn and dirty USian flag with the naked bodies of all backgrounds to capture their vulnerability, emotions, and strength, while critiquing the United States as the dreamland and shelter for all humans.
UNABLE TO HIDE
(2021)
Photographer: Harry Dwinell (US)
Photograph depicting a couple’s argument that’s escalated into verbal abuse. Often the victim is in the spotlight being questioned while the assailant attempts to hide their behavior in the shadows.
JUDGES
Ricky Bradford
Palm Desert-based photographer Ricky Bradford’s work ranges from covering people, places, and things through portraiture, public relations and corporate photography. Additional specialties include corporate event display and brand marketing strategy.
Meesh Bryant
Meesh Bryant is the Director & Founder of the Bolt Agency. Established 2013, the agency represents editorial and commercial photographers in both the UK and the US.
Nalinee Darmrong
Nalinee Darmrong is a Washington, DC based Rock photographer and author of The Smiths (Rizzoli) – a pictorial document showcasing never-before-seen photos of the band at their peak.
Leah den Bok
Leah den Bok is a Canadian-born fashion, beauty, and portrait photographer. She has traveled to cities around the world photographing people experiencing homelessness and has authored a book series entitled Nowhere to Call Home.
Todd Ford
Todd Ford is a Berlin-based American artist with a focus on live performance, cultural events, and corporate photography for real estate development.
Kate Garner
British-born Kate Garner is a Los Angeles-based artist, known for her celebrated 80’s avant-garde/pop duo, Haysi Fantayzee, and her photography work with 90’s artists like David Bowie, Bjork, and Sinead O’Connor.
Lou Manna
Award winning photographer Lou Manna worked for the NY Times for 15 years. Then, in 1990, established his own 5th Ave studio for corporate, advertising and public relations clients.
Amos White V
Amos is an inter-disciplinary multimedia artist, event producer, and exhibit designer. A graduate of the College of Human Ecology at the University of Maryland, College Park, Amos bridges his passion for the arts and human relations with the formation of THE ARTISTS FORUM.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
View our 2021 Juried Art Competitions Program
View our 2021 MEET the Artists Videos
Watch our 2021 Juried Awards Ceremony
Watch our 2021 Call-For-Entries Video
Watch our 2021 Photography Awards
View our 2021 Photography Gallery
