{"id":960306,"date":"2026-05-14T23:24:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T23:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/960306\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T23:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T23:24:22","slug":"these-raw-and-honest-images-bring-modern-britain-to-the-world-now-honored-with-major-photography-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/960306\/","title":{"rendered":"These “raw and honest” images bring modern Britain to the world \u2013 now honored with major photography award"},"content":{"rendered":"

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“Their experimental approach expands what photography is and how we experience it,” says Anne-Marie Beckmann, director of the Deutsche B\u00f6rse Photography Foundation, about the work of artist Rene Mati\u0107.<\/p>\n

Now Mati\u0107<\/a> \u2013 based in London, England \u2013\u00a0has been announced as the winner of the Deutsche B\u00f6rse Photography Foundation Prize 2026<\/a> for the exhibition As Opposed To The Truth (which the artist stylizes in all caps).<\/p>\n

Founded in 1996 by The Photographers’ Gallery<\/a>, the Prize honors major contributions to contemporary photography in Europe over the past year.<\/p>\n

Rooted in themes of identity, belonging, subculture, class and family, Mati\u0107’s body of work presents a diaristic portrait of life in Britain. Shot in a snapshot-like photographic style, it captures the quiet poetry of everyday life with a sense of intimacy and observation.<\/p>\n

“Their photography captures everyday life with tenderness and intimacy,” Beckmann adds.<\/p>\n

“The importance of chosen family and community shines through. Rene’s photographs celebrate the togetherness of people \u2013 whether they are laughing, kissing or partying.”<\/p>\n

As Opposed To The Truth\"Colour<\/p>\n

Feelings Wheel, 2024 – 2025 | Credit: \u00a9 Rene Mati\u0107. Courtesy the Artist and Arcadia Missa, London.<\/p>\n

The exhibition extends beyond photography to include installation and sound, with Mati\u0107 combining images, found objects, film and audio into a layered portrait of contemporary life.<\/p>\n

Mati\u0107’s practise spans photography, film and sculpture, coming together in what they describe as a space of ‘rude(ness)’ \u2013 a focus on the in-between.<\/p>\n

Set against a context of rising right-wing populism and performative compassion, the work turns to interpersonal relationships as sites of resistance and care, exploring how people hold onto one another and live with vulnerability in relation to dominant ‘truths.’<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Feelings Wheel, 2024 – 2025\u00a9 Rene Mati\u0107. Courtesy the Artist and Arcadia Missa, London.<\/p>\n

\"Colour<\/p>\n

Feelings Wheel, 2024 – 2025\u00a9 Rene Mati\u0107. Courtesy the Artist and Arcadia Missa, London.<\/p>\n

In As Opposed To The Truth, intimacy, desire and vulnerability function as tools for survival.<\/p>\n

“Rene’s deeply personal work is rooted in community and belonging \u2013 and their power both to heal and bring people together,” says Shoair Mavlian, director of The Photographers\u2019 Gallery and chair of the jury.<\/p>\n

“Rene’s raw and honest photographs bring a story of Britain today to audiences outside the UK.”<\/p>\n

Mati\u0107 wins \u00a330,000 (approximately $40,200 \/ AU$55,00) and their award-winning project \u2013 as well as this year’s shortlisted works from Jane Evelyn Atwood, Weronika G\u0119sicka, and Amak Mahmoodian \u2013 is on show at the Photographers’ Gallery in London until June 07 2026.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the Photographer’s Gallery website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Installation<\/p>\n

Rene Mati\u0107 featured in The Deutsche B\u00f6rse Photography Foundation Prize 2026 exhibition at The Photographers\u2019 Gallery, London, March 2026 | Credit: \u00a9 Kate Elliott, Courtesy of The Photographers\u2019 Gallery<\/p>\n

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Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from May to December.<\/a><\/p>\n