International Photography Exhibition 165

Àsìkò is a visual artist who uses photography, digital collage and other forms of art to explore ideas of culture and heritage.  His practice is anchored by the interpolation of his emotional experiences as a Nigerian born (and raised) British citizen, into a life-long, cultural and spiritual exploration of his Yoruba heritage. His work is motivated by a drive for greater self-awareness, authentic creative expression and therefore the development of a visual language that articulates new ways to understand the liberatory possibilities of African diasporic identity. 

As such Asiko’s work is aspirational. His images, although initiated by internal dialogue, seek to instigate public conversations with the audience that can help to negotiate some of the ethical contradictions inherent within modern permutations of Yoruba culture. This is because they are grounded in a wider commitment to faithfully honour and enrich the relevance of this vast and - as yet poorly understood - knowledge system and philosophy to contemporary global society. 

Asikos work has been featured on the Guardian, CNN and The BBC. His new body of work 'New World Giants' is currently on show at the Gagosian Gallery in London and his previous series 'Of Myth and Legend' is currently a public art installation on Sloane street in central London. He is represented by MTArt Agency.

Louise Fedotov-Clements: National Curator of Contemporary Art, Forestry England / Co-Director of Earth Photo / Co-Founder & Patron, FORMAT International Photography Festival 

Louise leads the contemporary arts programme for Forestry England, the largest land manager in the UK caring for over 1500 forests. A major project at Forestry England is Earth Photo which was Co-founded by Forestry England, together with the Royal Geographical Society and Parker Harris in 2018. 

Previously Louise was Artistic Director of QUAD a centre for contemporary art and film for 20 years. Director of FORMAT the UK's leading international festival of photography for 18 years, which she co-founded in 2004. An independent curator since 1998 directing commissions, publications, residencies, performances, and exhibitions worldwide. A specialist in digital art, socially engaged participatory practice, photography, festivals, and contemporary art; a guest curator for international exhibitions/festivals including Dong Gang (Yeongwol) South Korea; Photoquai Biennale Musée du quai Branly Paris; Les Rencontres Arles, Discoveries; Dali Photo, China; Venice Biennale EM15; Photo Beijing, and LishuiPhoto China; Korea International Photo Festival.

Siqi Li is a Chinese visual artist currently based in London, UK. Her practice is concerned with the mythologies surrounding familial representation, collective identity and personal history with reference to the historical and political state of her country and her experiences living abroad.

Siqi graduated from London College of Communication with an MA degree in Documentary Photography and is a recipient of the International Photography Exhibition 164 Under 30s award for her debut series Empty Nest. Working with images, archives, and literature, she reflects on the larger and more complex longing and intimacy from a narration of the day-to-day. 

@siqi_lea

siqi-li.com

Dr Michael Pritchard has been involved in photography for his entire career. He started as a photography specialist at Christie’s auction house where he curated auctions internationally. He has written and lectured on many aspects of the history of photography in the UK and abroad and holds a PhD in the history of photography. He has a particular knowledge of British photography but his interests extend across Western, Asian and African historical and contemporary photography.  He brings a practical and working knowledge photography, both analogue and digital, along with darkroom work and alternative processes.

Michael has been a selector for many exhibitions including the HIPA Awards, Travel Photographer of the Year, Food PotY, International Photography Awards, Lucie Awards, ArtGemini Prize, Youmanity awards, Earth Photo, and Spider B/W Awards. He has also been a selector and curator of exhibitions at festivals and exhibitions in China.

He leads the RPS’s education and public programmes.

Raquel Villar-Pérez is an academic and curator whose practice focuses on de- and anti-colonial discourses within contemporary art from the socio-political Global South. She is interested in the work of women-identified image makers who address notions of transnational feminisms, social and environmental justice. She is Curator at Impressions Gallery, Bradford, where she is responsible for the delivery of exhibitions, commissions, and other curatorial projects.

impressions-gallery.com

@ImpGalleryPhoto

@ImpGalleryPhoto

raquelvillarperez.com

@raquelvilpe

@raquel_vilpe

"In addition to knowing that my work has been chosen for the exhibition where the work of the world's most renowned photographers, including Roger Fenton and Paul Strand, was once exhibited, I am thrilled and deeply humbled to have received the IPE Award.  I can't even begin to express how grateful and honored I am. I am extremely thankful that my work has been recognized and appreciated by the panel and RPS, and that I can also share it with a wider audience."

Natcha Wongchanglaw, Thailand | USA

"I feel extremely humbled to be given this award and very pleased to see people of different backgrounds connecting with my personal narratives." 

Siqi Li, London / Beijing

"I am really humbled that my work has been selected for the IPE awards, especially after seeing all the amazing work that was submitted this year!"
Tim Franco, France

"I am deeply honored to win the award and I am thankful to everyone who appreciates my dad’s story."
KyeongJun Yang, South Korea 

"It's an incredible honor to not only be a part of an historic exhibition but to also have my work recognized by such an esteemed committee. The support and resources of The RPS has encouraged me to continue pushing myself and my work in ways that weren’t possible before. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share my interpretation of what it means to be human on this strange and fantastic planet."
Cody Cobb, USA