Announced at an evening screening at the Théâtre Antique as part of the opening week of Les Rencontres d’Arles International Photography Festival by Executive Director of Prix Pictet, Isabelle von Ribbentrop, the shortlisted photographers are: Hoda Afshar, Iran; Gera Artemova, Ukraine; Ragnar Axelsson, Iceland; Alessandro Cinque, Italy/Peru; Siân Davey, UK; Gauri Gill, India; Michał Łuczak, Poland; Yael Martínez, Mexico; Richard Renaldi, US; Federico Ríos Escobar, Colombia; Vanessa Winship, UK/Bulgaria; Vasantha Yogananthan, France.
‍

As the most dominant species on Earth, humans shape and are shaped by the world around us. The human theme allows photographers to delve into the vast spectrum of human experiences, emotions, relationships, and challenges that define our collective existence.

The theme enables photographers to shed light on critical issues affecting our planet and its inhabitants. From social injustices to environmental crises, exploring the human condition can serve as a powerful tool to raise awareness and inspire change.

As the Prix Pictet marks its 10th cycle, the choice of the human theme signifies a reflection on the journey thus far. It encapsulates the evolution of the prize, acknowledging the central role of humanity in shaping the sustainability discourse. The theme invites us to engage deeply with our shared humanity and reevaluate our roles as stewards of the planet.

‍

‍

Executive Director Isabelle von Ribbentrop notes:

"Instead of the future of photography, I like to think about photography for the future. The power of the image lies in its ability to foreground critical and urgent environmental issues in a visually impactful yet direct way. With every cycle, we see innovative ideas, narrative approaches as well as technical experimentations. It is extremely exciting to work with forward-looking creatives, who are not just passionate about their medium but about leaving a positive legacy in our world. For us at the Prix Pictet, we are committed to our goal of changing and shaping our future planet for the better, through harnessing the power of photography."

‍

Sir David King, Chair of the Prix Pictet jury, said:

"The human impact on our fragile planet is awful to contemplate. Our relationship with the natural world is fractured and out of balance. We are justifiably proud of technological progress and economic growth, yet these advances take little or no account of the state of our ecosystem. These and many other themes were touched on by the nominated artists with considerable artistic skill and I should like to pay tribute to the work of the Jury who have selected such a diverse and outstanding group of artists."

The Prix Pictet was founded by the Geneva-based Pictet Group in 2008, and is recognised today as the world’s leading prize for photography and sustainability. For each cycle, the award focuses on a different theme that promotes discussion and debate on issues of sustainability, and a prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs (108,000 USD, 91,000 Euro) is awarded for a body of work that speaks most powerfully to this theme.

The winner of Human will be announced on Thursday 28 September 2023, at the opening of an exhibition of works by the 12 shortlisted photographers at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The exhibition will then tour to over a dozen international venues, bringing the work of the shortlisted photographers to an international audience.

To coincide with the announcement of the winner, Hatje Cantz will publish a book which will include the work of each of the shortlisted photographers together with a selection of outstanding images from a wider group of those nominated for the award alongside essays by Historian David Christian and writer Meehan Crist. A special interview between the great photographer of Human grandeur Sebastião Salgado and Michael Benson, Director of the Prix Pictet will also be published in the new book.

Prix Pictet: Human
‍Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL29 September - 22 October 2023
‍www.prixpictet.com

‍