OD Photo Prize 2021

Announcing an annual prize devoted to discovering and nurturing the next generation of photographic artists

Open Doors Gallery is proud to announce the first OD Photo Prize, an open call for emerging artists working within the first ten years of their practice. For many years, OD has discovered and showcased artists working across all genres of contemporary photography. This prize is an extension of that philosophy, which looks to nurture long-term relationships with artists globally. 

The nominated artists will be published in a limited-edition news-sheet by OD Books, celebrating their talent and work, alongside a group exhibition in November with Open Doors Gallery in London. Selected artists are also eligible for a variety of prizes chosen by our panel of influential experts in the field of photography. 

The Grand Prize winner will receive £500 cash, £500 credit supported by MPB, £500 print credit supported by Metro Imaging, feature spreads in a limited-edition news-sheet celebrating the prize, a group exhibition with Open Doors Gallery, as well as ongoing mentorship and support. The Runners-Up will receive feature spreads in a limited-edition news-sheet celebrating the prize, a group exhibition with Open Doors Gallery, as well as ongoing mentorship and support.

OD Photo Prize 2021 is an open theme. We greatly encourage submission from artists working across all forms of photographic art: this includes, but is not limited to, storytelling, narrative, social documentary, construction, archival, conceptual or theoretical practices. Submissions must be photographic or lens-based but can incorporate other art forms (i.e. performance, collage, painting, sculpture, music, literature etc), and may result in unique artworks. 

Opens 24th August and closes 24th September, 2021
DEADLINE EXTENDED: 3 October, 2021
Submissions cost £10 (12€)

Meet our Jury for OD Photo Prize 2021

Mariama Attah – Curator, Open Eye Gallery 

Mariama Attah is a photography curator, writer and lecturer with a particular interest in overlooked visual histories, and understanding how photography and visual culture can be used to amplify underrepresented voices. Mariama is curator of Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool. She was previously Assistant Editor of Foam Magazine. Prior to this, she was Curator of Photoworks, where she was responsible for developing and curating programs and events including Brighton Photo Biennial and was also Commissioning and Managing Editor of the yearly magazine Photoworks Annual.

Keith Cullen – Founder and Director, Setanta Books

Setanta Books is a photography publisher and online bookseller based in London. Setanta publishes contemporary and fine art photography books with a broad range of artists from emerging artists to more established names.

Brandei Estes – Head of Photographs, Sotheby’s London

Brandei Estes is the Head of Photographs at Sotheby’s London, and spent over ten years working in photography and contemporary art galleries in London and Paris before joining Sotheby’s in 2013. Brandei is regularly a judge and nominator for numerous international photography awards including the Prix Pictet, and served for five years as the Chair for the advisory committee of The Photographers’ Gallery TPG Contemporaries. Brandei also lectures throughout the year on collecting photographs and the photography market for public and private institutions, museums, galleries and fairs.

Professor Steven Macleod – Creative Director, Metro Imaging

Steve is an award winning Creative Director and artist and has been at the forefront of photographic imaging for thirty years, collaborating with a vast network of clients he has also developed several innovative photographic printing practices. He is a Director at Metro Imaging. The company is one of Europe’s leading imaging companies with a global reach offering a comprehensive solution for exhibition and collecting markets. He is a practicing artist, represented by Black Box Projects. He regularly exhibits and his works are held in both private and public institutions. He is also a commissioned artist for the Hospital Rooms Arts mental health charity. Steve is a Visiting Professor at the University of Suffolk; Trustee and Deputy Chair of QEST and E E at RGU Aberdeen. He runs an established mentorship programme and is a regular judge on international panels.

Isabella van Marle – Curator and Founder, Pictures for Purpose 

Isabella van Marle (1991) is a creative consultant and curator based in Amsterdam. She is the co-founder of Pictures for Purpose, an initiative that started life in 2020 in the shape of a fundraising print by international artists. Foundation Pictures for Purpose aims to raise funds and awareness for charities through the medium of photography. Isabella has been appointed as curator of Foto Tallinn 2021 and has worked as the fair curator of Unseen. She has served on the jury and reviewed portfolios at several photography festival and awards including Sony World Photography Awards; Kyotographie, Japan; and Athens Photo Festival, Greece.

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