MORAN CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHIC PRIZE

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SEMI-FINALISTS OF THE 2019 MORAN CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHIC PRIZE REVEALED

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The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize (MCPP) is one of Australia’s most coveted photography prizes and earlier today the Moran Arts Foundation announced the semi-finalists of this year’s competition.

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Close to 3000 photographs were submitted for consideration and the judges have narrowed this down to 230 semi-ˇfinalists. The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize has prize money of $100,000, including a $50,000 first prize. This year, the range of subjects in the semi-finalist list is broad, with photographers invited to tell a story of how they experience living in Australia; places, people and lifestyle that make our lovable country quintessentially Australian.

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The Semi-Finalists can be viewed here: https://www.moranprizes.com.au/gallery/photographic

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The 2019 MCPP is being judged by Cheryl Newman and Jon Jones and this year they are joined by Australian photographer, artist and filmmaker Stephen Dupont. Cheryl Newman is a respected international photographer and curator and Jon Jones is a celebrated international photojournalist and photo editor.

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Cheryl Newman commented on the judging of the semi-finalists: “Powerful landscapes and infinite skies provide a backdrop for family life and a sense of community which open up this conversation about Australian daily life. The challenge facing the photographer is to capture moments that will enlighten, provoke, amuse, and move the viewer. For the judges, to find the winner from nearly 3000 images entered into the competition. With many exceptional entries it calls for tough choices to be made, it has been a rich and rewarding experience so far.”

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Stephen Dupont said: “Judging this year’s semi-finalists was an epic challenge. It’s a bit like holding your breath under water and each time you come up for air you are graced with a surprising and poetic moment in Australian photography. I am looking for the imperfections and uniqueness emotionally that only photography can give”.

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The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize (MCPP) was established in 2007 by the Moran Arts Foundation and it awards and promotes Australian contemporary photography and excellence in all forms of still, photo-based artwork - including analogue and digital photography or staged and directorial photo-media work.

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As part of their ongoing commitment to the arts, The Moran Arts Foundation has hosted free photography workshops in schools around Australia for many years. The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize also includes student categories and this year’s Student Prizes will be judged by Sally Mayman (Years K-6), Nicki Jackson (Years 7-8), Jim Filmer (Years 9-10) and Louise Whelan (Years 11-12).

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The finalists of this year’s prize was announced on Wednesday 3 April. The winner of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize was announced on Tuesday 7 May. The Moran Contemporary Photographic Exhibition opened on Saturday 4 May and ran until Sunday 2 June at Juniper Hall in Paddington.