Four artists have been selected for the 2026 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. Jane Evelyn Atwood, Weronika Gęsicka, Amak Mahmoodian, and Rene Matić are the nominees. Their work explores themes of truth, memory, identity, and social justice. The Photographers’ Gallery in London announced the shortlist, marking the 30th year of this prestigious award.
Key Takeaways
- Four artists shortlisted for the 2026 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize.
- Nominees are Jane Evelyn Atwood, Weronika Gęsicka, Amak Mahmoodian, and Rene Matić.
- The prize recognizes significant contributions to photography through exhibitions or publications.
- An exhibition of their work will open in London in March 2026.
- The winner will receive £30,000 and be announced in May 2026.
Celebrating Photography's Enduring Power
The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize, now in its third decade, awards £30,000 to a photographer or artist. This recognition is for a significant contribution to photography. This contribution must come through a recent exhibition or published work.
Anne-Marie Beckmann, the director of the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, highlighted the power of this year's shortlist. She stated that it demonstrates photography's ability to examine shared social and societal circumstances. The selected works showcase photography's versatility. They document the world and challenge perceptions. They also bring importance to often-overlooked issues and communities.
Prize Details
- Award Amount: £30,000 (€34,000)
- Purpose: Recognizes significant contributions to photography.
- Eligibility: Recent exhibition or publication.
- Longevity: Now in its 30th year.
Showcasing Diverse Artistic Voices
An exhibition featuring the shortlisted artists' works will open at The Photographers’ Gallery in London. This exhibition will run from March 6 to June 7, 2026. Following its London run, the exhibition will travel. It will be shown at the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation in Eschborn/Frankfurt. This second showing will be from September 3, 2026, to January 17, 2027. The final winner will be announced on May 14, 2026.
Amak Mahmoodian: Dreams, Exile, and Belonging
Amak Mahmoodian's project, One Hundred and Twenty Minutes, blends photography, poetry, and film. Her work transforms dreams into shared narratives. These narratives focus on exile and the feeling of belonging. Mahmoodian collaborated with individuals from 14 different countries. She also draws from her own personal experiences. This allows her to explore how displacement affects memory and imagination.
The title refers to the average amount of time humans dream each night. This serves as a poetic metaphor. It highlights the delicate boundary between what is real and what is imagined.
Jane Evelyn Atwood: Documenting Women in Prison
Jane Evelyn Atwood's project, Too Much Time / Trop de Peines, is a deeply humanist endeavor. It revisits her extensive work documenting women in prisons. Her documentation spanned a decade in the 1990s. She visited prisons across nine countries. Atwood's black-and-white images starkly portray the inequalities faced by female inmates. These inequalities include limited access to hygiene and inadequate healthcare. Her photographs reveal both systemic neglect and moments of quiet strength.
"This year's shortlist is a powerful testament to photography's enduring ability to explore our shared social and societal circumstances." — Anne-Marie Beckmann, Director of the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation
Weronika Gęsicka: Truth in the Digital Age
Weronika Gęsicka's Encyclopaedia project explores "trap entries." These are fake words or facts deliberately inserted into reference books. Gęsicka visually reinterprets these entries. She uses AI-generated imagery and manipulated stock photos. Through this, she examines the instability of truth in the digital era. Her project, both playful and unsettling, questions how we navigate a world where fact and fiction increasingly merge.
What are "Trap Entries"?
Trap entries, also known as phantom entries or copyright traps, are intentionally false entries included in reference works like maps, dictionaries, or encyclopedias. They serve as a way to detect copyright infringement by identifying if another publisher copies the content directly without independent research.
Rene Matić: Identity and British Life
Rene Matić's work uses photography, installation, and sound. It captures the essence of contemporary British life. Matić explores themes of identity, class, family, and subculture. Their practice exists within what they describe as "rude(ness)." It honors the nuanced spaces of identity and belonging. Matić's art provides a unique perspective on social dynamics and personal narratives.
The Road Ahead: Exhibitions and Announcement
The public will have several opportunities to see the shortlisted works. The London exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery is the first chance. It runs for over three months. After that, the exhibition moves to Germany. This ensures a wider European audience can experience these significant photographic projects.
The announcement of the overall winner in May 2026 will be a major event in the photography world. The prize highlights artists who push boundaries. They challenge viewers to think critically about the world through their lenses. This year's selection continues that tradition by featuring artists who address pressing contemporary issues.
The diverse approaches of Atwood, Gęsicka, Mahmoodian, and Matić demonstrate the breadth of modern photographic practice. Their work provides commentary on global challenges. It also celebrates individual experiences and cultural narratives. The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize consistently brings important artistic voices to the forefront.
- London Exhibition: March 6 – June 7, 2026
- Frankfurt Exhibition: September 3, 2026 – January 17, 2027
- Winner Announcement: May 14, 2026