Honoriarium Award at Art of Photography Competition 2013

On Saturday night I was deeply honoured to receive an Honorarium Award at the Art Of Photography Awards at the San Diego Art Institute in California. The competition was huge with 13,000 entries submitted from 85 countries with over a 1,000 visitors on the opening night.

There was a real diversity to the selection of 100 prints shown with many different photographic styles on display. The quality and camaraderie of the entrants and their work was equally amazing. During the opening night all of us were able to speak to visitors, answers their questions and also hear the stories behind (and further reactions to) each other’s images.

Read My Lips, Special Award winner, Art of Photography Competition 2013

On the following day we were treated to an exceptional lecture by this year’s curator and judge Julia Dolan, The Minor White Curator of Photography at the Portland Art Museum. During her talk on Contemporary Art Photography she spoke about her selection process for the show, her personal reactions to a key number of images and delivered invaluable insights for those looking to display their work in galleries or museums. It was a unique and extremely erudite experience where I learnt a lot about photography’s place within the art world.

Afterwards we visited the nearby Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in San Diego’s Balboa park which went on to only re-affirm my impression of San Diego being an undiscovered artistic gem with its multitude of museums and galleries.

A lasting impression

As with many trips taken to distant festivals and competitions in recent years, the conversations and friendships I have made have become the most rewarding aspect. To be able to receive an award and also be inspired by your peers can only be counted as a double blessing. My sincere thanks goes out to organiser Steven Churchill and his team for making such an amazing show and creating such a convivial atmosphere for those attending.

If you would like to visit the show

The 2013 Art Of Photography Show Competition exhibition will be on display at the San Diego Art Institute between October 12 through to November 17, 2013. All the finalists’ work will be on display for purchase. For more details about the show please visit www.artofphotographyshow.com. There are also a few of photos from the trip on my professional Facebook page here.

All the best,

Mark
October 2013