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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051017/NYM061 )
"Nikon is honored to sponsor the W. Eugene Smith Grant as part of the Nikon Spirit Initiative," stated Anna Marie Bakker, director of Communications Nikon Inc. "The grant recipients possess remarkable talent in the field of photography. Both Pep Bonet and Robin Bowman bring something new and intriguing to the photographic community. These two recipients have shown incredible skill and dedication through their work."
For the past two years, Mr. Bonet has been taking photographs in post-war Sierra Leone. It is here that he found four groups of children severely affected by war -- amputees, the blind, and the traumatized and former child soldiers. Bonet followed this group of kids and "captured the lives of Sierra Leone youngsters whilst they were creating chances for themselves in a land where opportunities are very rare."
Of his story, Bonet remarks, "It's a story that sheds light on a side of Sierra Leone (and of Africa) that we don't often get to see; one of stamina, pride, and self-confidence I saw how faith enabled people to see perspective in even the most inhumane of circumstances." Bonet followed his subjects closely, his work on this project provides an up-close, and never-before seen view of the direct impacts of war on young people in Sierra Leone and the faith, which gives them strength.
Robin Bowman, the recipient of the fellowship grant, has been interviewing and photographing teenagers all over the United States. She has used photographs and taped interviews to "document the personal history of this generation at the turn of the millennium." The intent of the study is to "help spawn a new dialogue and public awareness of today's youth and allow for a deeper understanding of their lives." Regarding her work, Bowman states, "Most people have a preconceived notion about what it means to be an American. I am hopeful this study will challenge and deconstruct some of these long-held beliefs."
The winning proposals of 2005 were selected from 149 entries representing 33 countries. The jury was headed by William M. Hunt, principal director of New York's Hasted Hunt Gallery, member of the Board of Trustees of the Smith Fund and photography collector; Elisabeth Biondi, Visual Editor of The New Yorker; and Dr. Shahidul Alam, director of the Drik Picture Library and the biannual Chobi Mela Festival of Photography in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
For the past 21 years, Nikon Inc. has attentively supported the W. Eugene Smith Grant. Considered a prestigious honor in photojournalism, the grant was founded in 1978 following the death of W. Eugene Smith, a legendary photo essayist. Smith's friends Howard Chapnick, Jim Hughes and John Morris created the grant, whose goal is to perpetuate Smith's work and spirit. The value of the grant rests in the fact that it provides photojournalists with the opportunity to visualize and achieve goals in photographic studies, all with the benefit of financial freedom.
"Pep Bonet is another talented visionary following in the extraordinary footsteps of Gene Smith. He continues to bring into focus for the public an important part of society we often don't want to see," said Helen Marcus, president of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund.
For more information on the W. Eugene Smith Grant, visit the Nikon Spirit Initiative website at http://www.nikonspiritinitiative.com or the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund site at http://www.smithfund.org.
About the W. Eugene Smith Grant
The W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography is presented annually to a photographer whose past work and proposed project for the upcoming year, as judged by a panel of experts, follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith's compassionate dedication exhibited during his 45-year career as a photographic essayist. For 2005, the grant will be $30,000, with an additional $5,000 in fellowship money to be awarded at the discretion of the jury. The grant program is independently administered by the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund and generously funded by Nikon Inc. For more information on the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, visit the website at http://www.smithfund.org.
About the Nikon Spirit Initiative
The Nikon Spirit Initiative is Nikon's corporate responsibility effort, which supports the local community and photographers through sponsorship of charitable, educational and industry enrichment programs. For more information, visit http://www.nikonspiritinitiative.com. For information about Nikon and its products, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051017/NYM061 )
"Nikon is honored to sponsor the W. Eugene Smith Grant as part of the Nikon Spirit Initiative," stated Anna Marie Bakker, director of Communications Nikon Inc. "The grant recipients possess remarkable talent in the field of photography. Both Pep Bonet and Robin Bowman bring something new and intriguing to the photographic community. These two recipients have shown incredible skill and dedication through their work."
For the past two years, Mr. Bonet has been taking photographs in post-war Sierra Leone. It is here that he found four groups of children severely affected by war -- amputees, the blind, and the traumatized and former child soldiers. Bonet followed this group of kids and "captured the lives of Sierra Leone youngsters whilst they were creating chances for themselves in a land where opportunities are very rare."
Of his story, Bonet remarks, "It's a story that sheds light on a side of Sierra Leone (and of Africa) that we don't often get to see; one of stamina, pride, and self-confidence I saw how faith enabled people to see perspective in even the most inhumane of circumstances." Bonet followed his subjects closely, his work on this project provides an up-close, and never-before seen view of the direct impacts of war on young people in Sierra Leone and the faith, which gives them strength.
Robin Bowman, the recipient of the fellowship grant, has been interviewing and photographing teenagers all over the United States. She has used photographs and taped interviews to "document the personal history of this generation at the turn of the millennium." The intent of the study is to "help spawn a new dialogue and public awareness of today's youth and allow for a deeper understanding of their lives." Regarding her work, Bowman states, "Most people have a preconceived notion about what it means to be an American. I am hopeful this study will challenge and deconstruct some of these long-held beliefs."
The winning proposals of 2005 were selected from 149 entries representing 33 countries. The jury was headed by William M. Hunt, principal director of New York's Hasted Hunt Gallery, member of the Board of Trustees of the Smith Fund and photography collector; Elisabeth Biondi, Visual Editor of The New Yorker; and Dr. Shahidul Alam, director of the Drik Picture Library and the biannual Chobi Mela Festival of Photography in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
For the past 21 years, Nikon Inc. has attentively supported the W. Eugene Smith Grant. Considered a prestigious honor in photojournalism, the grant was founded in 1978 following the death of W. Eugene Smith, a legendary photo essayist. Smith's friends Howard Chapnick, Jim Hughes and John Morris created the grant, whose goal is to perpetuate Smith's work and spirit. The value of the grant rests in the fact that it provides photojournalists with the opportunity to visualize and achieve goals in photographic studies, all with the benefit of financial freedom.
"Pep Bonet is another talented visionary following in the extraordinary footsteps of Gene Smith. He continues to bring into focus for the public an important part of society we often don't want to see," said Helen Marcus, president of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund.
For more information on the W. Eugene Smith Grant, visit the Nikon Spirit Initiative website at http://www.nikonspiritinitiative.com or the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund site at http://www.smithfund.org.
About the W. Eugene Smith Grant
The W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography is presented annually to a photographer whose past work and proposed project for the upcoming year, as judged by a panel of experts, follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith's compassionate dedication exhibited during his 45-year career as a photographic essayist. For 2005, the grant will be $30,000, with an additional $5,000 in fellowship money to be awarded at the discretion of the jury. The grant program is independently administered by the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund and generously funded by Nikon Inc. For more information on the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, visit the website at http://www.smithfund.org.
About the Nikon Spirit Initiative
The Nikon Spirit Initiative is Nikon's corporate responsibility effort, which supports the local community and photographers through sponsorship of charitable, educational and industry enrichment programs. For more information, visit http://www.nikonspiritinitiative.com. For information about Nikon and its products, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com.
