International Photography Exhibition 163: Selected Photographers Announced

The Royal Photographic Society is delighted to announce the selected photographers in the latest edition of their International Photography Exhibition.

Image: Àsìkò, Spirit in the Room.

The International Photography Exhibition (IPE) is the world’s longest running photography exhibition.

Now in its 163rd edition, the IPE 163 is a powerful exhibition that demonstrates the breadth of contemporary image-making and storytelling today. It explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, global societal issues, gender politics, mental health, the natural world, and the human condition. The selected work pays particular attention to the personal impacts of the pandemic, capturing hardship, grief, resilience, and hope.
The selected photographs were chosen anonymously from a worldwide open call in which over 8000 images were entered by 3,944 photographers from 114 countries. A total of 105 works by 57 photographers will be on display in the International Photography Exhibition 163 at RPS Gallery, Bristol from 16 April to 3 July 2022.

Each edition of the IPE invites a guest selection panel of leading voices in photography. Bringing together an exciting mix of expertise in photography, curating and publishing, the IPE 163 selectors were Monica Alcazar-Duarte (non-fiction photographer), Sebah Chaudhry (Creative Producer, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Reframed UK), Joy Gregory HonFRPS (award-winning photographic artist) and Dr Michael Pritchard, RPS Director of Programmes.

The IPE 163 Award is given to Tim Franco, a French-Polish photographer, for his work ‘Unperson – Portraits of North Korean Defectors’. South Korean photographer KyeongJun Yang receives the Under 30s Award for work from his series ‘Men Don’t Cry’.

The IPE 163 showcases experimental techniques and innovative approaches to challenge expectations, ignite conversation and give a voice to underrepresented communities. Collectively, the exhibition compels us to reimagine the way we interpret the world.

Monica Alcazar-Duarte, on choosing one of the Selectors Spotlight awards said: “It was a deeply enriching experience to be part of the selection panel for the IPE 163. This year’s selection encompasses a variety of issues present in our society in recent years. I can barely wait to see all the selected prints being exhibited together next year. I also hope that this exhibition opens a space for ongoing needed conversations in our society today.”

Evan Dawson, RPS CEO said: “The photographs chosen for this year’s International Photography Exhibition are some of the most striking that we’ve ever seen. Our most popular ever open call saw more people entering from 114 countries throughout the world, demonstrating the power of photography to tell meaningful stories, and to connect with one another, even when travel hasn’t been possible for so many. Congratulations to all the selected photographers.”

The IPE 164 call for entries opens on 15 February 2022.
The IPE is supported by theprintspace.
Find out more: rps.org/ipe163
Image credit: Àsìkò, Spirit in the Room