Deutsche Börse Photography Prize

Man 071 © Elad Lassry

Celebrating its 15th year, the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize rewards a living photographer who has made the most significant contribution to photography over the past year. Initiated in 1996 by The Photographers’ Gallery in London, the Prize promotes the best of contemporary photography.

There are four shortlisted artists – Thomas Demand, Roe Ethridge, Elad Lassry and Jim Goldberg – and a selection of each artists’ work is currently on display at Ambika P3, London.

Lassry’s works have a stock-photography aesthetic with a slightly demented twist and are reminiscent of advertising photography from 80s magazines. Each photo frame is hand-painted in bold, bright colours to match the prints, adding to the pop-art feel.

Most impressive though, is the work from Jim Goldberg’s exhibition Open See. The mix of traditional photography, Polaroids, video and ephemera make for an engaging and intimate exhibition. A single line scrawled across a small Polaroid hung on a large, white wall not only draws you closer in but gives insight into the often violent and unhappy lives of Goldberg’s subjects and their desires and hopes for freedom.

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize is open 5 April – 1 May, with the Prize officially awarded 26 April.