The Board of Trustees of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund announced that San Francisco-based American photographer Darcy Padilla has been awarded the prestigious 2010 W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography.
Ms. Padilla received the Grant for her essay, “The Julie Project,” an in-depth look at AIDS, poverty, and drugs in America. The project earned her a $30,000 Grant to continue her work exploring the human condition, and the struggles and triumphs, of everyday people.
In addition, Mr. Kosuke Okahara, a photographer from Japan, living in Paris, France, was awarded a $5,000 Fellowship for his exceptional black-and-white essay, “Ibasyo,” which looks at the growing epidemic of teenage girls and self-inflicted injuries.
The two bodies of work were selected from more than 182 entries from 32 countries. The adjudication panel included Robert Pledge (President of Contact Press Images and Jury Chair for this year’s panel), Daile Kaplan (Vice President and Director of Photographs, Swann Auction Galleries, NY), and Ed Burtynsky (Canadian fine art photographer), who spent two marathon sessions selecting eight finalists before determining the recipients of the Grant and Fellowship.
32 years ago, John Morris, Jim Hughes and Howard Chapnick had a vision to honor the integrity of Smith’s life and his work.
Together they started this foundation. Their goal was simple. They wanted to establish a foundation that would provide grants to photographers who exemplified Smith’s humanistic approach to photography as well as his belief in the human spirit.
Thanks to Marcel Saba
