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Winners of 2013 Syngenta Photography Award announced

The winners of the Syngenta Photography Award, a new international competition to stimulate dialogue around some of our planet’s key challenges.

5/15/2013

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The winners of the Syngenta Photography Award, a new international competition to stimulate dialogue around some of our planet’s key challenges, were announced today. In its inaugural year, entrants were invited to interpret the theme of “Rural – Urban” by exploring the issues of rapid urbanization and its impact on urban and rural communities and their environments.

Warsaw-based documentary photographer Jan Brykczyński won the Professional Commission for his series Árnes. His commission project, Farming Tribes, will explore the relationship between human beings and nature in four very different urban spaces around the world – New York, Yerevan, Warsaw and Nairobi. Holly Lynton won the Open Competition for Sienna, Turkey Madonna, part of a series in which she explores communities struggling to maintain agrarian traditions despite the challenges of globalization.

Mike Mack, CEO of Syngenta, said: “The winning photographers have created stunning images that bring to life some of the tensions and tradeoffs associated with rapid urbanization. With nearly 200,000 people moving to cities every day, urban and rural environments will increasingly compete for land, water and energy. We believe that these photographs can help spark an important conversation about what’s needed to create a sustainable future for both environments.”

The winners were selected by an international panel, chaired by the author and curator William A. Ewing and honored at a ceremony at Somerset House, London.

Ewing said: “The jury was unanimously impressed with the high standard of entries in the first year of the award. It was a great pleasure to see the commitment and dedication the photographers brought to their work and the wide range of approaches to the rural-urban issue. There were many fine images, and many possible winners, but ultimately the jury unanimously selected Jan Brykczyński and Holly Lynton for their singular artistic vision."

The winning images of both categories will be included in the Syngenta Photography Award Rural-Urban Exhibition at Somerset House, London from 17-21 May, 2013 which showcases the finest work entered to the Award and explores vital topics such as urban sprawl, deforestation and food production.