Divided States
-
Photographer
Benjamin Elwes
-
Prize
1st Place / Book/Documentary
-
Jury Top 5 Selection
Juan Curto
An in-depth portrait of America, a social survey in images.
-
Company/Studios
www.benelwesphoto.com
-
Date of Photograph
November and December 2016
-
Technical Info
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641416349/divided-states?ref=discovery&term=Divided%20States
-
Socials
-
Website
I dreamed of making a US road trip with a camera. When the 2016
US presidential election became the increasing focus of the world’s attention, in a year that had already seen the United Kingdom
voting to leave the European Union, my instinct was to be there. Returning to Mexico from Europe that autumn, I then packed my camera and flew to Reynosa, from where I crossed the border into the USA on Halloween. Divided States could be considered
an example of Gonzo journalism-an account made during a moment of comparative calm ahead of what has turned out to be the storm of the Trump presidency.
-
Biography
Elwes’ work has been exhibited at national and international venues including the National Portrait Gallery and The Photographers’ Gallery in London, Frölunda Kulturhaus in Göthenburg Sweden and with Fetart in Arles and Paris. He presently divides his time between Europe and México. In México his work has been exhibited in government institutions and private galleries including Centro Cultural Manuel Gómez Morín Santiago de Querétaro and Fifi Projects, México City.
-
Awards
2020 International Photography Awards 1st prize 'Professional Book, Documentary' category for Divided States.
2018 East Anglian Book Awards. Runner-up in the General Non-Fiction category for Monday Market.
2010 Fresh Faced & Wild Eyed. The Photographers' Gallery group exhibition. Open & Closed.
2009 This is Not a Gateway Festival. Hanbury Hall, London. Group exhibition.
2008 circulation{s} Mois de la Photo-OFF Fetart, Paris, France.
2002 John Kobal Foundation Photographic Portrait Awards. National Portrait Gallery London, UK.
