A photographer’s heartfelt homage to a friend lost in the 2011 Libyan Civil War has secured the highest honour at the esteemed Sony World Photography Awards, as revealed by the organizers on Thursday.
Edgar Martins was declared Photographer of the Year 2023 for his series “Our War,” an assemblage of portraits depicting Libyan individuals who reminded him of the late Anton Hammerl, a photojournalist killed while reporting on the conflict.
Upon receiving the $25,000 award, Martins expressed that it was “very humbling” and described it as “an emotional experience because I get to honour my friend on a world stage and raise awareness for the family’s struggle to locate his remains.”
“Our War” emerged after Martins, a Portuguese photographer, sought to recover his friend’s body in Libya with assistance from a smuggler. The country’s instability rendered his search impractical, prompting Martins to photograph instead of people involved in the war.
He chose his subjects based on their physical resemblance to Hammerl, who was killed by forces loyal to the former dictator Moammar Gadhafi, or because they shared similar ideas and beliefs or evoked memories of Hammerl throughout their friendship, as stated in a press release by the awards’ organizers, the World Photography Organisation.
The resulting images encompass former combatants and civilians from both factions of the eight-month conflict culminating in Gadhafi’s overthrow by anti-government rebels.
Mike Trow, prize chair, characterized the project as a “powerful, personal set of portraits,” adding: “Martins’ work exemplifies the lengths photographers will go to narrate a story and convey meaning, with each image providing a sense of Anton’s journey without explicitly revealing the manner of his death.”
Chosen from the victors of the annual awards’ 10 professional categories, Martins’ win was announced in a year that saw the competition’s highest-ever number of entries, totalling over 415,000, with more than 180,000 eligible for professional categories. The awards, now in their 16th year, encompass subjects ranging from sports and landscape to environmental issues.
Other professional category winners included Chinese photographer Fan Li, recognized for his portrayal of a deserted cement factory; the UK’s Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, who documented the efforts of women’s rights activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and US photographer Al Bello, celebrated for his series on the first female baseball player to participate in an all-male professional league.
Organizers also announced the recipients of several other awards on Thursday, with photographers from the student and youth competitions among those honoured. The debut Sustainability Prize acknowledged the work of environmental photographer Alessandro Cinque.
In addition to the various awards presented, the Sony World Photography Awards organizers announced that a selection of the winning images would be showcased in a digital exhibition, allowing viewers worldwide to appreciate the remarkable talent and dedication of the participating photographers.
The online exhibit will feature the work of Edgar Martins, Fan Li, Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, Al Bello, and Alessandro Cinque, among many others, and will offer insights into the inspiration and creative processes behind their captivating images.
The Sony World Photography Awards, an influential platform for emerging and established photographers, continues to foster and celebrate the global photographic community. Through this prestigious event, photographers can gain recognition, exposure, and the opportunity to connect with others who share their passion for visual storytelling.
As the photography world evolves, the Sony World Photography Awards remain committed to showcasing the diverse talent, ideas, and perspectives that enrich the medium. The competition aims to inspire and encourage photographers from all backgrounds and skill levels to continue pushing the boundaries of their craft to capture and share their unique visions with the world.
Looking ahead to next year’s awards, the organizers have already begun preparations to ensure an even more significant and inclusive competition. They plan to introduce new categories, expand promotional efforts, and provide resources to support emerging and established photographers in their artistic pursuits. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the Sony World Photography Awards continue to inspire and celebrate the ever-evolving art of photography for years to come.
