The Picturing Footscray Photography Prize has been documenting life in Melbourne's western 'burbs since 2016. Just what that looks like has changed significantly in 2020, and the annual open access prize has returned to literally provide a snapshot of Footscray even during our current health crisis.
The four winners of Picturing Footscray have been announced, with photographer Ben Dowling taking out first prize with his monochromatic work 'Paisley Street'.
Speaking on the work, Picturing Footscray judge Cameron Cope said: "Like many successful street photographs, 'Paisley Street', may not be what it seems and raises more questions than it answers. Is it blackface or a beauty treatment we see on the window of the salon? Is the mother in the scene pondering that same question while her child ponders the photographer? It's a puzzle that sparks the imagination in the spirit of a Matt Stuart or Jesse Marlow and speaks both to the global Black Lives Matter movement and the cultural juxtapositions of everyday, local Footscray."
Second prize was awarded to Jody Haines for 'Self Portrait 2020', while third prize went to Narinda Cook for 'Footscray Antifa Post Lock Down 1'. The Picturing Footscray student prize went to Becky Blechynden for her work 'A Waiting Welcome' (which, emanating a painful sense of absence, feels particularly relevant during lockdown).
Unlike in previous years, Melburnians won't be able to view the Picturing Footscray exhibition in person due to current restrictions. They can, however, view all 150 entrants (including the four prize winners) in an online exhibition until Friday, September 11. You can also vote for your favourite photo for the People's Choice award, to be announced on September 16. Head over the to the website to view the entrants and vote.
