Xposure announces five winners of Timothy Allen photography scholarship awards

A picture taken by F.Dilek Uyar from Turkey whose ‘In Epicentre of COVID-19’ documents the work of frontline workers at the intensive care unit of her local hospital. Selecting five entries from a record 1,600 entries for their ingenuity, originality and excellence in visual storytelling, the 5th edition of International Photography Festival – Xposure, has announced the winners of its premier Timothy Allen Photography Scholarship Award (TAPSA). The winners have been selected for Xposure’s fifth edition, which will be taking place in Sharjah from February 10 – 13, 2021, at the Expo Centre.

Winners were announced at a live streaming virtual ceremony on Facebook by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), organisers of Xposure, the most significant photography and imaging show in the MENA region. Above, ‘Faces of Faith’, an exploration of manifestations of faith across the globe by Michal Novotný from the Czech Republic.

Ata Ranjbarzeydanlou from Iran who explores the lives of low, garbage collectors in ‘Living Among the Garbage’; Speaking about the winning photographs, globally renowned British photographer, Timothy Allen, in whose name the scholarship has been established, said: “This year I have been particularly captivated by Michal Novotný’s incredible body of work exploring religious faith around the world and Kiran Ridley’s phenomenal reportage from the pro-democracy uprisings in Hong Kong.”

“Every year I consider it a rare privilege to have the opportunity to judge such a large body of photographic excellence from around the world, and this year’s selection will highlight exceptional talent originating from Iran, Turkey, Russia, The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. Originality is a key attribute of our successful applicants, along with an unmistakable passion for visual storytelling,” Allen added. Above, a picture by Russian photographer Natalia Gorshkova’s evocative tale of people challenging the odds titled, ‘Spin Control’.

All five winners of the prestigious scholarship will receive a 10-day travel package to Sharjah, which will include their attendance of Xposure 2021 from February 10 – 13,. During their stay, they will be participating in five-day location workshop led by Timothy Allen where they will have the opportunity to discuss their works. Above, picture by Kiran Ridley from Great Britain for his extensive coverage of an unfolding political crisis titled, ‘Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Protests.

Hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure International Photography Festival is widely attended by the world’s most acclaimed photographers, leading media and film professionals, photography enthusiasts, students, and educators.

Visitors at the XPOSURE - International Photography Festival in Sharjah Expo, Sharjah.