World Press Photo exhibition comes to Queen’s 

13 November 2014

From 18-23 November, Queen’s Elmwood Hall will host the internationally acclaimed World Press Photo exhibition – the first time it has ever been to Northern Ireland.

The prestigious exhibition, organised in partnership with the School of Law at Queen’s, and the Journalism, Law and Rights Forum, showcases the most inspiring and high quality photojournalism in the world.

The 2014 exhibition comprises the 150 winning images chosen from over 98,000 photographs submitted by 5,754 photojournalists in 132 countries.

The World Press Photo exhibition includes the World Press Photo of the Year (above right), selected by an international jury at the 57th annual World Press Photo Contest. By American photographer John Stanmeyer (of the VII Photo Agency) it shows African migrants on the shore of Djibouti city at night, raising mobile phones in an attempt to capture an inexpensive signal from neighbouring Somalia – a tenuous link to relatives abroad. Djibouti is a common stop-off point for migrants in transit from such countries as Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, seeking a better life in Europe and the Middle East.

The picture also won 1st Prize in the Contemporary Issues category, and was shot for National Geographic magazine.

Also on display are the prize winning images from nine themed categories belonging to 53 photographers of 25 nationalities from: Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA. 

Speaking ahead of the exhibition launch, Head of the School of Law at Queen’s, Professor Sally Wheeler, said: “As a truly international University we are absolutely honoured and delighted to host the World Press Photo exhibition at Queen’s.  This global event celebrates the best in photojournalism around the world and we look forward to welcoming media and the public from around the world to Belfast and to Queen’s.”

The week-long exhibition will be complemented by a series of evening and weekend events exploring journalism, law and rights. Award-winning photojournalist, Robin Hammond will explore his work on mental health. Anna Lo MLA, the first ethnic Chinese person elected to a legislative parliament in Europe, will reflect on racism in Northern Ireland. Philippe Sands QC, author of Torture and Lawless World, will speak about developments in international criminal law and Professor Kevin Heller, Human Rights Watch’s external legal advisor on the trial of Saddam Hussein, will be speaking about amnesties. The event will be chaired by Brian Gormally of the Committee on the Administration of Justice.

An outreach programme for secondary schools is also available offering students the opportunity to explore various aspects of journalism, press photography and visual communication. Pre-booked groups accompanied by their teacher(s) will benefit from free admission and access to a package of learning tools.

Media inquiries to Claire O’Callaghan, Senior Communications Officer, Queen’s University on 028 9097 5391 or c.ocallaghan@qub.ac.uk

 

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