Byblos Bank Headquarters, Ashrafieh, 19 September 2016: Elsn Lahoud was announced winner of the 2016 Byblos Bank Award for Photography, the fifth edition of one of the most sought-after art prizes in Lebanon, during a ceremony that took place at the BEIRUT ART FAIR in Biel.
“The Byblos Bank Award reflects the Photo London ethos in its dedication to innovative photography, support of emerging artists and sense of discovery. We find much resonance with the Byblos Bank Award’s investment in the future of the medium and long-term commitment to finalists from its five year history”, said Melanie Hough, who represented the President of this year’s jury, Co-founder and Director of Photo London Fariba Farshad, at the award ceremony. “With the global platform provided by the Byblos Bank Award, we look forward to seeing more contemporary Lebanese art exhibited at Photo London in future years,” added Mrs. Hough, who also serves as Gallery Development Manager at Photo London.
“This 5th edition of the Byblos Bank Award for photography marks a big leap forward in the Bank’s continuous efforts to support photography as an art form in Lebanon,” said Nada Tawil, Head of Group Communication Department at Byblos Bank. Tawil added: “Through this unique initiative, we have forged long-lasting relationships and partnerships with key players in the field, most notably the BEIRUT ART FAIR team. We will continue to work together to help photography stand out in Lebanon.”
For her part Laure d’Hauteville, Founder and Director of the BEIRUT ART FAIR, said: “By undertaking the dual role of art patron and career launch pad, Byblos Bank offers a unique platform where art becomes a link between the business world and the world of contemporary creation.”
This year, some 104 candidates applied online on www.byblosbankaward.com for a chance to win the award; but the consistency of the approach of Elsn Lahoud, the photographic quality of his work (originality of the framing, light treatment, aesthetics…) and its artistic value earned him the Byblos Bank Award for Photography.
“I am greatly humbled and honored to receive the 2016 Byblos Bank Award, I would like to thank Byblos Bank and BEIRUT ART FAIR and all of my teachers and friends for their support,” said Elsn Lahoud. “This award is a unique opportunity that will surely play a big part in my future as an artistic photographer, and I look forward for what is to come,” he added.
Titled “Ehtiyat” (Military Reserve), Elsn Lahoud’s winning series of photographs is a unique approach to the experience of the last group of men who were conscripted to Lebanon’s military service. By featuring conscripted Lebanese men in an innovative and artistic way, Lahoud tries to show how this experience changed and shaped their lives.
Byblos Bank’s prize to Elsn Lahoud consists of a unique package of professional advice and support. This includes personalized expert mentoring under award-winning Lebanese photographer Serge Najjar, for his first solo exhibition, hosting of the event at Byblos Bank Headquarters, and generous promotion through both a personal catalog and a dedicated media campaign.
As part of the Byblos Bank Award’s fifth anniversary, Byblos Bank also organized a special exhibition at BEIRUT ART FAIR featuring the works of five previous finalists, including: Myriam Boulos, Ghaleb Cabbabé, Tarek Haddad, Lama Mattar, and Carmen Yahchouchy. These talented photographers took part in a workshop in July 2016 given by renowned Franco-Algerian artist Halida Boughriet. The result was “New World/Nouveau Monde”, an exhibition of works oriented around the themes of Change, Evolution, Breakthrough, and the Indescribable.