World Press Photo exhibition has commenced in Sydney at the NSW State Library and is open until the September 10. It has also opened recently at the Brisbane Powerhouse and is on until August 20.
Now in its 66th year, the World Press Photo Contest showcases the best and most important photojournalism and documentary photography of the last year. The winners were chosen by an independent jury that reviewed more than 60,448 photographs entered by 3,752 photographers.
Interestingly, this years exhibition is held almost simultaneously in 33 different cities around the globe – making it the most seen photography exhibition series in the world.
Visiting the the exhibition is always a memorable excursion as it really showcases not only the wondrous natural and human world we live in – but it also reveals the dark side of humanity and how the closed-mindedness, incompetence, greed and lust for power of the minority creates disaster and misery for millions and millions of people.
We often see or read about these humanitarian and ecological disasters as they unfold as mere statistical blips on TV news or on website newsfeeds. These engrossing World Press Photo exhibitions give us a micro-view and human face to so many of these gut-wrenching stories. It really shows the raw power of photography as a medium as it freezes a moment in time so we the viewer can bear witness to issues that may never be seen nor imagined.
The World Press Photo Foundation was founded in 1955 an independent, nonprofit organisation based in Amsterdam. Their mission statement is to 'connect the world to the stories that matter.'
As a warning - the exhibition does include images that viewers may find confronting – so parents may want to consider whether this exhibition is suitable for children and young adults.
12 August - 10 September
Monday to Thursday: 09.00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 09.00am - 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 - 5:00pm
Brisbane: Brisbane Powerhouse
29 July - 20 August
Tuesday - Sunday: 12.00 - 6:00pm
You can see an audio guide with photos here.
For more information about the exhibition visit the World Press Website.