At a time when images shape how we understand the world, photography plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of contemporary Ireland.
The Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize is the first big prize that recognises and supports the breadth and vitality of contemporary photography in Ireland.
Presented by Photo Museum Ireland in partnership with Taylor Wessing, and with Business to Arts supporting the development of the partnership behind the prize, the inaugural Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize establishes a new national platform for artists working in photography. This landmark award platform showcases the range of creative photographic practices across the island and the urgency of the stories they tell.
With more than 1,300 submissions received from artists across Ireland, the need for this kind of recognition is clear. Trish Lambe, director of Photo Museum Ireland said: “The response to the inaugural Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize has been exceptional. From the scale and quality of submissions to the level of public engagement with the exhibition, it’s clear there is a real appetite for this kind of platform. What we’re seeing is a community of artists producing ambitious, thoughtful work that reflects the complexities of life in Ireland today.”
RM Block
Spanning documentary, portraiture, conceptual and experimental approaches, these works point to a photographic culture that is ambitious, outward-looking and deeply engaged with the complexity of contemporary life. What emerges is a plurality of perspectives, with work rooted in lived experience, shaped by place and attentive to the complexities of identity, belonging and community in Ireland today.
This is precisely what a national prize does. It creates visibility at scale, while offering artists recognition that extends beyond individual exhibitions or projects. This partnership provides a strong platform through which photography can be understood as a central cultural art form. Louise O’Reilly, chief executive of Business to Arts, said: “Partnerships like this are increasingly important in creating sustainable pathways for artists and cultural organisations alike. The prize demonstrates what can happen when businesses and arts organisations come together around a shared commitment to long-term cultural investment.”
Crucially, the Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize also represents a meaningful investment in artists themselves, with a top award of €10,000, two Judges’ Selection Awards of €2,500 and a €10,000 bursary supporting emerging practice. As the largest combined prize for contemporary photography in Ireland, it acknowledges both achievement and potential through supporting artists at different stages of their career.
Working in photographic practice requires more than exposure; it requires time, resources and the ability to continue making work. By pairing recognition with tangible support, the prize contributes to building a more sustainable ecosystem for photography in Ireland. Adam Griffiths, partner and head of the Dublin office at Taylor Wessing, said: “The launch of the Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize marks an exciting new chapter – one that recognises Ireland’s vibrant photographic community and creates opportunities for artists to achieve visibility on both national and international stages. This prize reflects our belief that art is a powerful instrument for change, inclusivity and understanding. We are proud that this initiative provides meaningful support, financially and institutionally, to artists at every stage of their careers. The response from Ireland’s creative community has been remarkable, underscoring the need for such a platform.”
The development of the prize reflects a shared recognition between Photo Museum Ireland and its partners that the conditions now exist, and are urgently needed, for a more visible, structured platform for photography in Ireland. For Taylor Wessing, this reflects a clear and ongoing commitment to supporting the arts, extending their international engagement into Ireland at a moment when the depth and diversity of work being produced here demands greater visibility and support.
It also positions Irish photography within a broader international context. While Irish artists are increasingly visible on global platforms, there has been a need for a national structure that signals the strength of commitment to the work being produced here. A prize of this scale creates a focal point that connects artists, audiences and institutions both at home and abroad.
For Photo Museum Ireland, the development of the Prize is part of a wider commitment to supporting artists, developing audiences, and strengthening the visibility of photography as a vital cultural medium. As the national centre for contemporary photography, the museum works across exhibitions, residencies, education and publishing to build the conditions in which artists can thrive.
The Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize extends that work, bringing it into sharper public focus and creating a moment each year where photography takes centre stage.
As an inaugural edition, it sets a clear direction. Not only recognising the strength of contemporary practice in Ireland today, but laying the groundwork for a sustained, visible and ambitious future for photography on a national and international stage.
The exhibition runs at Photo Museum Ireland until May 24th
