Two UAL talents have won first and second place in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2020 - one of the most prestigious photography awards in the world.
The first prize went to Alys Tomlinson who studied PG Cert Professional Photographic Practice at Central Saint Martins, with second prize awarded to Lydia Goldblatt, who studied MA Photography at London College of Communication. Both their winning works were born out of COVID-19 and lockdown.
Alys and Lydia take the top 2 out of 3 prize places for 2020. Their work will now go on show via the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2020 virtual exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
Alys Tomlinson began her project ‘Lost Summer’, just after lockdown restrictions were eased in June 2020. The series comprises 44 portraits of young people dressed to attend their school prom night – events that were unable to take place in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She began by contacting families in her local area and working with friends of friends. Each portrait was made in what the sitter had planned to wear for their graduation event. The portraits were all taken outdoors so that gardens and parks became the backdrops.
Lydia Goldblatt’s 'Fugue' series explores themes of motherhood, intimacy and distance. In music, a fugue is a short melody that is repeated and developed by more than one line that can reappear as a recurring motif throughout a score. The word also refers to the psychological condition or episode of identity loss, often associated with a sudden departure from one’s usual environment. Her portrait 'Eden' was made in her garden as her daughter sat in a plastic seedling tent she converted into a self-contained space of her own. The series weaves in and out of domestic tranquility as well as unease and tension, night streetscapes and views of empty playgrounds. All were made in close proximity to the family home during the first COVID-19 lockdown in London.
This year’s competition was judged by: Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Chair Director, National Portrait Gallery; Edward Enninful, Editor-in-chief of British Vogue; Magda Keaney Senior Curator, Photographs, National Portrait Gallery; Penny Martin, Editor-in-chief, The Gentlewoman and Mark Neville, Photographer.
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Chair Director, National Portrait Gallery, London:
Congratulations to the prize-winning artists and all those selected for exhibition. Each year the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize displays the very best in contemporary portrait photography and despite the unprecedented circumstances, this year is no exception. Once again, this year’s entries demonstrate an extraordinary range of themes and styles in what has been a challenging year for portrait photography. I hope that many more visitors from across the world will have the opportunity to enjoy the exhibition online.
The award and exhibition
The annual Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize showcases new work submitted by some of the most exciting contemporary photographers. Judged anonymously, the diversity of styles reflects the international mix of entries as well as photographers’ individual and varied approaches to the genre of portraiture.
The prize-winning photographs and those selected for inclusion in the exhibition were chosen from 5531 submissions entered by 2169 photographers from 75 countries. A total of 54 portraits from 37 artists have been selected for display.
Main image: Jameela, from the series Lost Summer by Alys Tomlinson © Alys Tomlinson
Second image: Eden from the series Fugue by Lydia Goldblatt © Lydia Goldblatt