THE RPS INTERNATIONAL PRINT EXHIBITION 159 AT MUSEUM OF SOMERSET, 14 JAN -11 MARCH

  • Exhibition opens at Museum of Somerset, Taunton, 14 January 2017
  • Features work from 75 international photographers
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Abrigo Corner 1. Photo: Tom Blachford

The Royal Photographic Society’s International Print Exhibition 159 opens at the Museum of Somerset from 14 January to 11 March 2017. Launched in 1854 and now in its 159th edition, it is the longest-running exhibition of its kind in the world. This year’s exhibition features an eclectic mix of work by 75 photographers from 16 countries, carefully selected by a panel of experts, and will provide a fascinating insight into the range and diversity of photography today.

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Alice – from the series ‘Being Inbetween’ (Gold Award Image) Photo: Carolyn Mendelsohn

Taking the form of a competition, with entries submitted from both amateur and professional photographers throughout the world, the IPE finalists and medal winners were selected by a panel made up of social documentary photographer Dougie Wallace, Brighton Biennial Photo Festival Director, Celia Davies, Director of Glasgow’s Street Level Photoworks Malcolm Dickson, Picture Editor for The Sunday Times Magazine Russ O’Connell and photography writer and editor Gemma Padley.

For the first time in the exhibition’s long history, all four medal winners are women. UK photographers Carolyn Mendelsohn, Polly Braden and Poem Baker secured the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, and Russian photographer Anna Shustikova won the under-30s Gold award. The four medal-winning prints can be seen at the exhibition which is touring venues and photography festivals throughout the UK.

South West Heritage Trust Chief Executive Tom Mayberry said: “We’re delighted to be hosting such a prestigious exhibition at its only venue in the South West of England. This annual exhibition is steeped in history and in its early years included work from some of the world’s most eminent photographers including Margaret Cameron, Roger Fenton, Edward Steichen and others.”

The Jungola Klownz of Deptford (Bronze Award Winner) Photographer: Poem Baker
The Jungola Klownz of Deptford (Bronze Award Winner) Photographer: Poem Baker

The Museum of Somerset is part of The South West Heritage Trust, an independent charity committed to protecting and celebrating Somerset and Devon’s rich heritage. International Print Exhibition 159 is free to enter.