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

In 2021, we looked for photographs that captured Footscray’s distinctive sense of community, which has been especially invaluable in the pandemic. Photographers of all capabilities were invited to participate and explore the people, streets and cultures that make Footscray the vibrant community it is.

With 115 incredible entries, our judges had their work cut out for them. We're excited to announce our First, Second, Third and Student Prize winners for 2021!

The $500 People's Choice Award is still up for grabs. Vote for your favourite image in our virtual exhibition by 5pm on Thursday 9 December - the winner will be announced on Tuesday 14 December.

 
Picturing Footscray 2021

2021 Winners

Congratulations to our 2021 winners!

Every Which Way by Sally Coggle

First prize winner Sally Coggle's image Every Which Way

Everything is fine by Jake Lowe

Second prize winner Jack Lowe with Everything is fine

Borderline by Mark Davidson

Third prize winner Mark Davidson with Borderline

Lucky Dip by Sarah Gardiner

Student Prize winner Sarah Gardiner with Lucky Dip

Picturing Footscray 2021 Prize Announcement

Picturing Footscray 2021 – Photography Prize Announcement - Transcript

Prizes

First prize: $3,000

Second prize: $1,000

Third prize: $500

Student prize: $500

People’s Choice award: $500

Get your vote in for the People's Choice award by 5pm on 9 December! The winner will be announced on Tuesday 14 December.

Exhibition & People's Choice Awards

You get to choose the winner of the $500 People’s Choice Award.

Vote for your favourite image in our virtual exhibition by 5pm on Thursday 9 December.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday 14 December.

 

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 was 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.

COVID-19 and social distancing

We encouraged 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.

Thank you to our participants for remaining 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. 

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.