César Dezfuli’s “striking and unsettling” portrait of Malian refugee wins Taylor Wessing prize

César Dezfuli has been awarded the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 for his image of Malian refugee Amadou Sumalia. The photo was taken as part of a series titled Passengers in August 2016, documenting the rescue of over 100 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea near the Libyan coast.

Aiming to capture the plight of the people as they attempted to escape war, persecution and poverty, the Spanish photographer took this portrait of 16-year-old Amadou to convey his personal story. “I think Amadou’s portrait stands out because of the emotions it transmits,” César says. “He had just been rescued by a European vessel, apparently fulfilling his dream. However, his look and his attitude show fear, mistrust and uncertainty, as well as determination and strength.”

The judges said of the winner: “Against the balance and precision of [César’s] composition, the directness of Sumaila’s gaze is striking and unsettling. The portrait powerfully conveys his loss, solitude and determination.”

César receives £15,000 as the first prize winner. Second prize went to Abbie Trayler-Smith for her photograph Fleeing Mosul, part of the series Women in war: Life after ISIS; while Maija Tammi’s portrait of a Japanese android One of Them is Human #1 was given third prize and the John Kobal New Work Award for a photographer under 35.

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 exhibition is open at the National Portrait Gallery, London until 8 February 2018.