Matthew Pillsbury and Julia Fullerton-Batten win 2007 HSBC Foundation for Photography Prize
Matthew Pillsbury and Julia Fullerton-Batten have won the prestigious 2007 HSBC Foundation for Photography prize. Congratulations!
They were both initially selected into a short list of 13 nominees, which came from a group of 823 candidates. Wow.. 823.. it's hard to believe there are that many, would be, art photographers out there! The winners both get their first monograph published (by Actes Sud in June), 4 shows of their work in France and abroad, plus a cash prize.
Thanks to the wise guidance of Bonni Benrubi, we at MAO have already fallen in total love with 
Matthew's amazing B&W provocative and contemplative night time photographs.
(Photo #1, by Matthew Pillsbury, HBO, ROME, Thursday October 13th, 2005, 12:00 - 12:50am)
In fact, this long exposure photo of 2 friends getting well acquainted on the couch, while basking in the warm glow of the TV series Rome..was a must have for the MAO collection.
With clear reverence to the work of Hiroshi Sugimoto, Matthew's photographs manage to capture the spirit of connection and isolation with our 21st century TV and late night computer culture. He's created projects which have included the launch of XBOX (The Zero Hour), LA friends on cell phones, visitors at museums (Museum Hours) and our emerging laptop society. Once you've seen his work, it's obvious why Matthew was chosen from this huge pool of candidates for the HSBC award.
He's even got a new show opening up this Saturday at M + B Gallery in LA (Damn.... the wrong coast seems to be having some kick ass outstanding photography events!)
Matthew Pillsbury, is certainly one young photographer to watch out for in the future.
At MAO, we're not familiar YET with the work of British photographer, Julia Fullerton-Batten. 
But I can't believe we've missed this photographer.. the work looks intense (all be it, a bit commercial).. but, check out her website.
Julia Fullerton-Batten. This photographer has won some major awards, plus, Julia has already had a show at the National Portrait Gallery. In her most recent project on teenage girls, Julia shows a clear development of a unique identifiable signature photographic style.
A Big MAO congrats to both Matthew and Julia.. we look forward to seeing (and collecting) your new books, art shows, and more of your wonderful photography work.
Here's the Original HSBC French Press Announcement.
Some of the past winners of this prestigious HSBC prize include : Birgitta Lund and Eric Baudelaire, and the collaborative photographers Christophe Clark & Virginie Pougnaud
Hey.. MAO..
I've not seen the work of either of these Photographers yet.. thanks for pointing them out.. they both look very interesting.
I love that photo by Matthew.. wow!
Posted by: Rick | January 25, 2007 at 01:21 PM
I also like these photographs. HI MAO!
Posted by: Patrick | January 26, 2007 at 04:33 PM
I also like these photographs. HI MAO!
Posted by: Patrick | January 26, 2007 at 04:34 PM
In case you don't run into the link when looking up Julia's work, she kindly gave us an interview here:
http://180degreeimaging.com/180mag/06oct/julia/julia.html
Kim Taylor
Posted by: Kim Taylor | January 26, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Wow - I saw her show "A Picture of Health" at the NPG in London this summer, and was really impressed. I'm glad to see her getting recognition for her talents.
Posted by: Blythe | January 29, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Julia Fullerton-Batten is represented by Randall Scott Gallery in Washington, D.C. Her first significant US exhibition will be May 12-June 9th at the gallery. Her work is available through the gallery, please call 202-332-0806 or visit us on the web at www.randallscottgallery.com
Posted by: Randall Scott | February 26, 2007 at 07:10 PM