Winners of the 2015 Deutsche Börse Prize announced
Mikhael Subotzky and Patrick Waterhouse, from South Africa and the UK respectively, were last night awarded the 2015 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize for their publication Ponte City.
“The book depicts a 54-floor apartment block in Johannesburg built in 1976 for a white elite under apartheid rule,” the Photographers’ Gallery explains. “During the political transition in the 1980s and 90s, it became a refuge for black newcomers to the city and immigrants from all over Africa. Over the years decline and neglect led to it being positioned as the prime symbol of urban decay in the city and the supposed epicentre of crime, prostitution and drug dealing.”
Mikhael and Patrick beat fellow competitors Nikolai Bakharev, Zanele Muholi and Viviane Sassen to the £30,000 prize, which is awarded for a “significant contribution to the medium of photography.” Combining personal stories from remaining residents at the complex with architectural plans, archival material and photographs, the series creates a fascinating and sensitive portrayal of the community and culture surrounding the Johannesburg landmark.
The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2015 exhibition is available to view at The Photographers’ Gallery until 7 June 2015.
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Maisie joined It’s Nice That fresh out of university in the summer of 2013 as an intern before joining full time as an Assistant Editor. Maisie left It’s Nice That in July 2015.