|
The award is given on the basis of previous work and a proposal for a future story. In De Russé’s case, the €8000 grant will enable her to complete her proposal: a story on the re-emergence of concubines in modern day
China. The story will be presented as part of next year’s Visa pour l’Image. The Canon Female Photojournalist Award was initiated in 2001 by the AFJ and Guy Bourreau, Marketing Director of Canon Communication & Image in France. It aims to support and highlight the work of female photographers
around the world. “Great photojournalism can have a profound impact on its readers, because great photography has a power beyond words,” said Burreau, “yet a relatively small percentage of the world’s photojournalists are women. This award is both a
valuable way to discover new talent, and to help ensure that photojournalism continues to cover unique stories from a broad range of perspectives.” Axelle de Russé
Axelle de Russé (28) has been published in Figaro Magazine, VSD, Paris Match, L’Express, Le Nouvel Observatour, Le Point, Cosmo (France and Spain), and Marie Claire (Mexico). The €8000 award will finance the completion of a story that
looks at the position of women in modern China. Outlawed by the Communist regime in 1949 as a sign of bourgeois decadence, the practice of keeping concubines is once again on the rise. De Roussé will document the lives of two women: one a city-dweller who
is now the kept woman of a member of the nouveau riche, the other a poor peasant girl. The story will follow the two women as they confront a China that, while rising to prominence on the world is stage, is resurrecting traditions from its past. “While Axelle de Roussé is very young,” said Moira Sauvage, representing the AFJ on the award jury, “she has proven her skills when it comes to grasping the right moment or capturing the silent message seen in her
subject’s eyes, and there is also her aesthetic approach to a story. Her story on concubines in China will present both relevant journalism and fine photography. She has already completed sound preliminary work on the projects, which we see as timely in
2008, the year of the Beijing Olympics.” Canon’s commitment to photojournalism
The Canon Female Photojournalist Award and ongoing sponsorship of Visa pour l’Image marks Canon’s commitment to the development of photojournalism talent. Canon is also one of the major sponsors of the World Press Photo awards for professional
photojournalists and the Ian Parry Scholarship for students and photojournalists under the age of 24. For further information, interviews and media opportunities contact:
Sasha Naod
European PR Professional
+31 20 5458112
Sasha.Naod@canon-europe.com
|
