The jury chooses the winners of the 9th Africa Focus photographic competition

This morning, the jury of the 9th Africa Focus Photographic Competition met at Casa África. The jury is made up of Cristina R. Court, art critic; Teresa Correa, photographer; and Mamadou Gomis, photographer, who took part from Senegal.

This year’s winners are Sergi Reboredo, Eva Carnero and Beatriz Fernández with their photographs on the theme of African cities their development, present and future. We were looking for images reflecting everything from the most modern urbanism to traditional architecture, urban growth and development, social relations, sustainability, culture, multiculturalism, the environment or the economy. And that’s what we’ve seen in more than 500 photographs which were submitted to the competition. We want to take this opportunity to once again thank all the participants for continuing to send us their images, year after year reflecting the most surprising aspects of this rich and diverse continent.

The first prize of 1,000 euros was awarded to the image A new vision. Cape Town sent by Sergi Reboredo and taken from the seafront promenade in Cape Town, South Africa. According to its creator, the photograph represents concepts such as integration, local tourism and sustainable development. In addition to these concepts, the jury also highlighted that the image shows an optimistic vision of coexistence in the urban fabric of a modern society. Teresa Correa commented that the image links past and present from a positive perspective, takes an optimistic look towards the future and highlights the message within the message in allusion to the text of the binoculars: “to look far away”. Mamadou Gomis felt that the photograph represents the strength of youth and modernity in Africa and Cristina Court said that even some imperfection is valued, reflecting the noise of the city and its inhabitants where atmospheres, stories and emotions are superimposed.

The second prize of 300 euros was awarded to the image Essence by Eva Carnero Requena, which shows a view of the city of Maputo, Mozambique. The photographer speaks of the essence of Africa represented in this urban sculpture as a tribute to the powerful African nature. The jury highlighted the symbolism of the cultural elements in the context of progress and development. Teresa Correa commented that the image combines modernity and identity. The composition reveals a great sensitivity, showing the dialogue between art and urbanism.

Finally, the image Life in Stone Town by Beatriz Fernández Mayo was awarded the third prize of 300 euros. The jury felt that this photograph reflected everyday life in an urban environment, in this case the historic old town in Zanzibar City, Tanzania. A photograph which speaks of social integration, multiculturalism, interreligious dialogue, unity and peaceful coexistence. A balanced visual composition that mixes history and the present, combining colonial architecture that recalls other eras with what is happening at street-level. Cristina Court commented that it is a story which reveals to us the multiple historical layers that make up an integrated present.

At Casa África, we have already started work on plans for the 2019 competition and never cease to be amazed by the immense variety that - year after year - floods into this important collection of images that has been collated during nine years of the competition.