RENAISSANCE 2011

Exhibition press release

Eve Arnold donates signed photo

for Renaissance Photography Prize

awards ceremony

20 photographers from 8 countries are waiting with bated breath

to discover the winners of the Renaissance Photography Prize

2011, to be announced at a celebrity private view on 23rd March

2011 at London’s Mall Galleries.

Now in its fourth year, the Renaissance competition invites

amateur and professional photographers to submit their images

for judging by some of the most distinguished photographers in

the industry. All proceeds from the competition and exhibition

are donated in full to the Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care, a

charity that supports younger women with breast cancer.

Following a review of a record 4,700 images from 61 countries,

celebrity photographer Brian Aris, gallery owner Michael

Hoppen, Philippe Garner, Head of Photography at Christies,

Rhubarb-Rhubarb’s Lorna-Mary Webb and Magnum Magnum

editor Brigitte Lardinois selected 100 images which will be

displayed at a week-long exhibition at the Mall Galleries, off

London’s Pall Mall.

There are prizes for the best photo in five categories:

Environment, Expression, Motion, Shape and Time. The overall

Renaissance is the brainchild of Fiona Gifford, a 38 year-old

lawyer and keen amateur photographer who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

“I have been overwhelmed by the success of Renaissance and the quality of the photographs that we

have seen since the competition started. The competition is a great way for photographers to have their

work judged by some of the biggest names in the photography world while raising money for younger

women with breast cancer, over £130,000 thus far.

“What better way to celebrate life and the world around us than through photography? Photographs

allow us capture and connect with the world, and can be a source of inspiration in times of adversity.”

For more information, interviews or high-res images of last year’s winning photographs or of the 2011

event, contact Ashley Johnson on +44 787.247.3502 or contact info@renaissancephotography.org

Sponsored by

In aid of

Registered charity in England and Wales no. 1017658

Selection of 2011 shortlisted photographs: Shadow Dancer 1 by Anne Marie Arbefeuille (Shape category); Iola by

Richard Boll (Expression); Free on the Range by Peikwen Cheng (Motion); Coming Soon, Dudley Ga by William

Eckersley (Environment)

Renaissance Prize 2011 winner will walk away with £3,000, a

portfolio review with Rhubarb Rhubarb’s reviewers and a coveted

place on the Rhubarb Rhubarb 2011 Promenade.

For the first time this year there is a new prize for the best photo

taken on film, donated by Calumet (a Fujifilm GF670 Medium

Format camera). Of the 100 images selected for the exhibition, a

remarkable 37 were taken on film. Judge Brian Aris said “I was

personally thrilled to see so many entries shot on film in the

conventional way, which for me signals the future of photography

where hopefully digital and film can live happily side by side”.

The highlight of the exhibition is the champagne private view and

awards ceremony. Cherie Blair, actress Lulu, writer Kathy Lette

and comedian David Mitchell are among the celebrities who have

handed out awards in previous years; this year Lisa Snowdon and

Amanda Mealing are

already confirmed

names, with more to

follow.

Retired Woman, China ’79

Copyright Eve Arnold/Magnum

“The standard of this year’s

entries was extremely high

and very diverse, making the

final selection very difficult”

Brian Aris, Renaissance judge

There will also be a silent

auction of a signed print of Retired Woman, China ’79,

donated by Magnum photographer Eve Arnold. As with ticket

and photo sales, all money raised from the auction will go to

the Lavender Trust.