The Sony World Photography Awards 2024
Diana Cheren Nygren, Can Nuclear Fusion Power Your Home, 2024
© Diana Cheren Nygren, United States, Shortlist, Professional competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
Written by: Aundréa Verdi
The Sony World Photography Awards 2024 has announced its finalists and shortlisted photographers in the Professional competition, marking 17 years of celebrating exceptional photographic series. With an astonishing 395,000 submissions worldwide, this year boasts the highest number of entries on record. The Professional competition seeks to honor technical prowess and a distinctive narrative approach. Here are some of our favorite works from the finalists and shortlisted photographers this year:
Diana Cheren Nygren, Air Pollution, 2024.
© Diana Cheren Nygren, United States, Shortlist, Professional competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
Diana Cheren Nygren's "Mother Earth: Nevertheless She Persisted" calls us to ponder humanity's relationship with the planet. Nygren's juxtaposition of human habitation behind acrylic, seemingly protected from the elements against sweeping landscapes of the American Southwest, serves as a metaphor for our impact on the environment. The use of color captures the eye, emphasizing the beauty of the landscapes and the stark contrast to the encapsulated human elements. This contrast also visually underscores the tension between human activity and natural spaces. The frames, painted by hand, invite contemplation on our impact on Earth's story.
Sujata Setia, मिट्टी के दायरे (Circles in Sand), 2024
© Sujata Setia, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
In "A Thousand Cuts" by Sujata Setia, the artist delves into the harrowing reality of domestic abuse within the South Asian community. Setia draws inspiration from the ancient form of torture known as lingchi, symbolizing the relentless nature of abuse through portraits marred by symbolic cuts that reveal a punchy layer of red underneath. The use of thin paper and tight crops heightens the sense of suffocation and vulnerability experienced by victims. The rawness of the work is further amplified by the somber lighting that Setia employs, which casts deep shadows onto the subjects. This interplay of light and shadow draws the viewer deeper into each portrait's emotional landscape and underscores the dramatic and painful reality that the artwork seeks to convey. Through this series, Setia sheds light on a pervasive issue often shrouded in silence, challenging viewers to confront the cycle of violence and advocate for change.
Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, Ærø, 2024
© Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, Finland, Shortlist, Professional competition, Architecture & Design, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist's "Beach Cottages in Ærø" offers a serene escape into the beauty of Denmark's Ærø island. Against the backdrop of morning light, as it slowly seeps into the frame, Mustonen-Dahlkvist captures the timeless allure of five beach cottages, each exuding its unique charm. The photographs create a serene and nostalgic atmosphere, drawing the audience into the tranquil coastal scenery. Mustonen-Dahlkvist celebrates the simplicity and elegance of Danish architecture, infusing each image with a sense of quiet reverence for the natural world.
Juliette Pavy, Spiralkampagnen, 2024
© Juliette Pavy, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
"Spiralkampagnen: Forced Contraception and Unintended Sterilisation of Greenlandic Women" by Juliette Pavy confronts a dark chapter in history, shedding light on the forced contraception and sterilization of Greenlandic Inuit women by Danish authorities between 1966 and 1975. Pavy's documentation exposes the systematic violation of human rights and the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims. The visual darkness within the images not only enhances the gravity of the subject matter but also focuses the viewer’s attention squarely on the emotional expressions and personal stories of the women portrayed, making their plight impossible to ignore or dismiss. As the truth of the Spiralkampagnen comes to light, Pavy's work is a testimony to the resilience of those affected, calling for accountability and justice. Pavy challenges us to confront the atrocities of the past.
The coveted Photographer of the Year 2024 was awarded to Juliette Pavy. These collections, along with many others, will premiere at Somerset House from April 19th to May 6th before traveling to other destinations.
