For the first time in the history to Britain’s leading portrait prize, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, the 2018 first prize has been awarded to a series, and not a single image. INSTITUTE artists, Alice Mann has taken out top honours, winning £15,000, with a set of four images of South African drum majorettes, or drummies.
Many of the drummies come from some of the most disadvantaged communities in Mann’s native country. “The images are part of a much larger body of work, which is a combination of a more documentary approach and portraits,” Mann explains. She went on to say, “Continuing my consideration into notions of femininity and empowerment in modern society, it was my intent to create images that reflect the pride and confidence the girls achieve through identifying as drummies.”
The judge commented that “Mann’s series is consistent in its evocation of a sustained and intriguing narrative. Each sitter is precisely framed within a carefully considered composition, and the girls confidently meet the camera’s gaze. Their pristine and vibrant outfits jar with the rundown surroundings, lending a surreal and enigmatic atmosphere to the portraits”.
Mann’s winning series was chosen from a shortlist of four entries, which had been whittled down from 4,462 submissions by 1,973 photographers from 70 countries.
Second prize, of £3,000, was awarded to Irish photographer, Enda Bowe for her image, Cybil McAddy with daughter, Lulu, from the series, Clapton Blossom. Joint third prize want to British photographer, Max Barstow and Canadian Joey Lawrence.
2018 judges
- Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Chair (Director, National Portrait Gallery, London)
- Miles Aldridge (Photographer)
- Shane Gleghorn (Managing Partner, Taylor Wessing LLP)
- Sabina Jaskot-Gill (Curator of Photographs, National Portrait Gallery, London)
- Renée Mussai Renée Mussai (Senior Curator, Autograph ABP)
- Sophie Wright (Global Cultural Director, Magnum Photos)
About Alice Mann
Alice Mann (05.09.1991) is a South African photographic artist based in London whose intimate portraiture essays explore notions of picture making as an act of collaboration. Her shortlisted series was shot in South Africa’s Western Province, focusing on the all-female teams of drum majorettes.
Alice Mann says, "For these girls, involvement in ‘drummies’ becomes a vehicle for them to excel, and the distinctive uniforms serve as a visual marker of perceived success and represents emancipation from their surroundings. Continuing my consideration into notions of femininity and empowerment in modern society, it was my intent to create images that reflect the pride and confidence the girls achieve through identifying as ‘drummies’."