The famous “Planète Albert Kahn Association”, named after the no less famous philanthropic banker (born in the second half of the nineteenth century), humanist and passionate about photography, was created by Jean François Fortchantre. He initiated a few years ago several prizes related to images and the humanism they reflect. Of course, one of the prizes is for photography.
A jury of personalities attributes a real distinction to photography through this prize, which honours a photograph author.
Last night, for 2022, the association just awarded its photography prize, to Hans Silvester for all of his photographic artwork.
This honorary award is deserved on many counts. Firstly because Hans finds himself in the cenacle with famous predecessors, from Raymond Depardon to Françoise Huguier, via Stanley Greene, Marc Riboud or Pierre de Vallombreuse and so many others, for the undisputed quality of their artwork. Then, Hans told me that he is proud to represent “country photography” and many of us support this recognition of photographic poetry away from traditional urban images.
Thanks to Hans for travelling all around the world for 65 years, in all directions, to offer us the beauty of rural and pastoral traditions. Thanks to the famous association, with a genuine award, for highlighting his natural and sensual photograph of the natural realities of life.
Thierry Maindrault
Friday, December 16, 2022.
