Byblos Bank Headquarters, 7 September 2016: Byblos Bank has announced the names of the ten finalists of the 2016 Byblos Bank Award for Photography, the fifth edition of one of Lebanon’s most sought-after art prizes.
Dona Azzi, Tamara Blanche, Usra El-Madhoun, Soha Ghandour, Najib Hilal, Joseph Khoury, Elsn Lahoud, Tracy Nehme, Haneen Tay, and Nancy Tohme will exhibit their work at the BEIRUT ART FAIR (15-18 September). One of them will be announced winner of the 2016 Byblos Bank Award for Photography on the last day of the fair. The laureate will be chosen by a world-renowned jury of photography professionals whose members include: Founding Director of Photo London, Fariba Farshad (President); Editorial Director of Photo Magazine, Agnès Grégoire; Award-winning artist and photographer, Natasha Lesueur; Award-winning Lebanese photographer, Serge Najjar; and Chief Curator of the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona, Rebecca Senf.
This year, some 65 candidates applied online on www.byblosbankaward.com by submitting the required seven photographs, along with a presentation text, for a chance to win the award. The finalists were selected following careful consideration by BEIRUT ART FAIR and the president of the jury. As in previous years, the winner of the Byblos Bank Award for Photography will receive a unique package of professional advice and support, all backed by in-depth knowledge of the local and regional markets for their work. This includes personalized expert mentoring for her or 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.
With more than 500 candidates over 5 years, the Byblos Bank Award helped launch the careers of 4 emerging Lebanese photographers, served as a hub for dozens of finalists, and brought together thousand of amateurs of artistic photography. Now more than ever, this prestigious initiative has become a gateway for emerging Lebanese photographers wishing to launch their careers. Indeed, the finalists gain outstanding public exposure and crucial connections to key players in the art market, including collectors, gallerists, professional photographers, and the media.