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

Now in its seventh year, Picturing Footscray has become a well-known photography prize that is documenting Footscray’s changing culture and landscape. This year we were looking for photos that capture the essence of Footscray and celebrate what this suburb is all about.

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

Voting for the People's Choice Award is now open. Vote for your favourite photo before 5pm on Friday 11 November. 

The winner will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram accounts once voting closes. 

Text reads: Picturing Footscray 2022

2022 winners

Congratulations to our 2022 winners!

People’s Choice Award: Vote for your favourite image to win the $500 prize by 5pm on Friday 11 November 2022.

Always was, always will be land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation - Jessica DuPlessis.

Picturing Footscray 2022 first prize winner

(A few) colourful faces of Footscray by Matto Lucas.

(A few) colourful faces of Footscray by Matto Lucas

Looking down by Sarah Schubert.

Looking down by Sarah Schubert

Now and then by Manon Keown.

Now and then by Manon Keown

Prizes

First Prize – sponsored by Plenary Health: $3,000

Second Prize: $1000

Third Prize: $500

Student Prize – sponsored by VU’s Library Services: $500

People’s Choice Award – sponsored by the Footscray Connectivity Centre: $500

Exhibition & People's Choice Award

All entrants are currently being exhibited in a major salon-style exhibition at the Footscray Connectivity Centre (previously VU MetroWest) from Thursday 13 October to Friday 11 November. You can check out the exhibition between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. 

Voting for the People's Choice Award is now open. Vote for your favourite image.

The winner will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram accounts once voting closes. 

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.

www.camcope.com/ / Instagram: @can_of_cope 

Paola Balla

Dr Paola Balla is a Wemba-Wemba & Gunditjmara sovereign woman. She is a visual artist, curator, writer, academic & has her Doctorate from Victoria University where she teaches and does research at Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Centre. Her work focuses on Black women’s art & activism. Paola also works in community arts & is a regular guest speaker & published writer. Paola has a Bachelor of Education-Nyerna Studies-Indigenous Major (VU), Post Grad Dip & Masters Community Cultural Development Praxis (VCA). Paola is a co-founder of the Indigenous Arts & Cultural Program & Wominjeka Festival at Footscray Community Arts. 

www.paolaballa.art/ / IG: @paola_balla

 

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 June 2021.

Past winners

Every Which Way - Sally Coggle

  • Every Which Way by Sally Coggle
  • First prize: Every Which Way by Sally Coggle
  • Second prize: Everything is fine by Jake Lowe
  • Third prize: Borderline by Mark Davidson
  • Student Prize: Lucky Dip by Sarah Gardiner
  • People’s Choice award: Footscray local, fade by Solo by Gianna Rizzo

Paisley Street - Ben Dowling

Paisley Street by Ben Dowling

  • 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

Test shot at Westgay - Matto Lucas

Test Shot at Westgay by Matto Lucas

  • 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
Every Which Way - Sally Coggle

Winning image for 2021: Every Which Way by Sally Coggle.

COVID-19 precautions

We encourage participants to 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. 

Related

Terms & conditions

Terms & Conditions for Picturing Footscray 2022.