Established in 2016, Picturing Footscray is a free open-entry photography prize that focuses on Melbourne's unique inner-west suburb of Footscray.

What makes Footscray so endearing? Is it the welcoming community, the appreciation of good food, the rich history behind so many buildings and streets? We're looking for photographs that capture Footscray’s distinctive sense of community, which has been especially invaluable in the pandemic.

Photographers of all capabilities are invited to participate. This is your chance to explore the people, streets and cultures that make Footscray the vibrant community it is.

Picturing Footscray 2021

Key dates

Entries open: Monday 27 September, 9am

Entries close: Monday 25 October, 9am

Exhibition opening and prize announcement: Thursday 11 November

Virtual exhibition: Thursday 11 November – Thursday 9 December

Picturing Footscray 2020 – Photography Prize Announcement

Picturing Footscray Photography Prize 2020 Announcements - Transcript

Entry details

Anyone can enter. There are no boundaries of age, ability, experience, or technical equipment. Both amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit either analogue or digital photographs that explore and celebrate Footscray.

Entries need to comply with the following guidelines:

Enter Picturing Footscray 2021

  • Maximum one entry per person.
  • Each entry will be displayed unless the photograph infringes copyright, contains offensive or defamatory imagery, or in any way violates the terms and conditions of entry.
  • For full eligibility and entry details, please make sure you read the terms and conditions.

Footscray boundaries

Photographs must be either taken within suburb boundaries, or be of the suburb taken from elsewhere. View the map of Footscray boundaries.

Accessibility

If you are not able to access the entry form or you are having trouble submitting a photograph, please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange an alternative entry method.

Contact

Vivian Clark
Place and Community Engagement Coordinator
+61 3 9919 4150
[email protected]

Prizes

First prize: $3,000

Second prize: $1,000

Third prize: $500

People’s Choice award: $500

Student prize: $500

Prizes will be awarded at the virtual exhibition opening on 11 November 2021, and the People's Choice award will be awarded at the conclusion of the virtual exhibition.

Judges

Cameron Cope

Cameron James Cope is an image burglar, frequent stowaway and fine art printer based in Narrm (Melbourne). He has an extensive background in travel editorial and holds a Master of Fine Art at RMIT University - where he also runs photography workshops. His personal projects and photobooks explore how the past is embedded in the present through visual allegory and conceptual documentary.

Photographer Cameron Cope.

Nikki Lam

Nikki Lam is an artist, curator and producer based in Naarm. Working primarily with moving images, performance and installation, her work explores hybridity and memory through the contemplation on time, space and impermanence. Born in Hong Kong, her work deals with the complexity of migratory expressions within and beyond the concept of diaspora. She is co-director of Hyphenated Projects and Biennial, and curator-at-large at The Substation. Nikki is currently pursuing a PhD (Art) at RMIT University.

Artist Nikki Lam.

Judges' selection criteria

The judging panel will be guided in their decision making by the following selection criteria:

  • high artistic merit
  • subject matter that best captures and celebrates the Footscray community
  • entries that meet entry guidelines and have been taken in Footscray no earlier than April 2020.

Judges for 2021 to be announced.

COVID-19 and social distancing

We encourage entrants to be practise social distancing, wear a mask, and be COVID safe while documenting Footscray. All entries will be exhibited virtually and become a visual archive of what community looks like in Footscray.

Please remain vigilant of the most up to date government rules and restrictions around COVID-19 when participating in Picturing Footscray. The health and safety of yourself and others is paramount. Visit our COVID-19 page for more information and resources.

Related

Past winners

  • First prize: Paisley Street by Ben Dowling
  • Second prize: Self Portrait 2020 by Jody Haines
  • Third prize: Footscray Antifa Post Lockdown 1 by Narinda Cook
  • Student Prize: A Waiting Welcome by Becky Blechynden
  • People’s Choice award: Fragmented by Brodie Clark

  • First Prize: Test Shot at Westgay by Matto Lucas
  • Second Prize: Franco Cozzo by Oli Sansom
  • Third-prize: Footscray Drag Race by Xavier Smerdon
  • Student Prize: Barkly Street intersection by Mishka Winters


Footscray Embrace by Nathan Stolz

 

  • First prize: Footscray Embrace by Nathan Stolz
  • Second prize: Advance by Pier Carthew
  • Third prize: Caleb by the Bunbury Street Bridge by Shannon McDonald
  • People's choice: Giraffes on the Serengetti aka Sunset over the Dock by Elwyn Davies


Untitled by Christian Lukasik

 

  • Untitled by Christian Lukasik
  • Second prize: Roaming, Confident and Tall as the Sun by John Umina
  • Third prize: You are My Sunshine by Julia Wong
  • People's choice: Holiday in the West by Mikaela Foster


Local Footscray Music Icon by Wirut Khemnak

 

  • First prize: Local Footscray Music Icon by Wirut Khemnak
  • Second prize: Bunbury Blueprint by Rosie Howell
  • Third prize: The Heavenly Queen by Jaye Heraud
  • People's choice: Maribyrnong Reflections by Claudia Gonzalez Diaz
Paisley Street by Ben Dowling.

Winning image for 2020: Paisley Street by Ben Dowling.

Terms & conditions

Terms & Conditions for Picturing Footscray 2021.