On January 29th, at the Center Pompidou (Paris 4th), the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation awarded, for the 29th consecutive year, scholarships to 19 young talents who presented an original and ambitious project. *
In the field of photography, the Foundation awards each year a scholarship of € 15,000 to a young professional photographer under the age of 35, wishing to work, in France or abroad, on a photographic production of a documentary nature, in the social, economic, political or cultural domain. Much more than financial aid, this scholarship is a real springboard for the photographer’s career.
Kasia Strek wins the 2018 Photographer Scholarship
Award-winning project: Making a photo documentary in six countries where women are denied access to abortion and contraceptives
Course. Kasia Strek does not conceive life without commitment. Especially when you are a photographer and you grew up in Poland, a relatively closed country. After studying French and anthropology, she discovered photography and decided to make it her job.
Documentary photo. From the photo, Kasia likes the strength of the testimony. A photo should not be that beautiful, it must say something about the world. For the past two years, her work has focused on women’s rights and especially on access to abortion. After Poland, she continues the investigation in the Philippines and Ireland. In the end, there will be six countries, six chapters.
The grant. The originality of this project lies in the fact that it decided to mix personal stories of women and images of reportage presenting the context of the country. In the fall of 2018, she investigated in Egypt. Thanks to the grant, she added two other countries to complete her project: El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kasia plans two stays in each country in order to gently address the intimacy of women and gradually acclimatize to the social reality of the country. See you in 2020 for the exhibition.
Kasia Strek was distinguished by a prestigious jury, chaired by Marion Hislen, photography delegate at the Ministry of Culture – Andrea Holzherr, Magnum Photos exhibition manager; Jérôme Huffer, head of Paris Match’s photo service; Stéphanie Lacombe, 2006 winner; Clémentine de La Ferronnière, founder of the gallery and the publishing house Clémentine de La Ferronnière; Patrick Le Bescont, founder of Filigranes Éditions; Valérie Tognali, editorial manager of Éditions du Chêne; Aurélien Valette, communication manager of the Rencontres d’Arles; Gabriel Bauret (selection committee).
The candidatures for the 2019 scholarships will be open next spring on the website of the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation:
https://www.fondation-jeanluclagardere.com/bourses/presentation/photographe
Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation
Under the auspices of the Fondation de France
Since 1989, the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation has supported and encouraged young talents in France and abroad, and has developed many programs to promote diversity and promote success. The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation is thus a fully committed player in the fields of culture, education and solidarity.
