2020 Winner: Damien Heinisch 45

45 by Damian Heinisch describes a sequence of image fragments that emphasise and contrast human presence in their physical surroundings. Upon closer examination, the viewer becomes aware that all images are taken through a train window. The photographer’s journey, which takes him from Ukraine to Oslo through present-day Europe, is inspired by train journeys taken by relatives in 1945 and 1978, leading them to death or freedom. At this point in all three journeys, each family member turned 45. The book’s narrative challenges the issue of forced immigration within the boundaries of Europe’s past and present. Eight months after the author’s return in 2013, a new conflict erupted in the Donetsk region, leading to an ongoing war.

The project will be exhibited at Webber Gallery, London, from 3 December 2020.

More information

2020 Shortlist

Judges

Jörg Colberg
Jörg Colberg is a writer, photographer and educator. His writing has been published on CPhMag.com as well as in photography magazines, catalogues, and monographs. He is the author of Understanding Photobooks: The Form and Content of the Photographic Book (Focal Press, 2016). Born and educated in Germany, he resides in the United States.

Ellis Jones
Ellis Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of VICE Magazine. Jones started as an intern at the company's New York headquarters in late 2008 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the first female editor-in-chief in September 2015. She also writes about photography for VICE.com and is a member of the American Society of Magazine Editors. 

Joanna Piotrowska
Joanna Piotrowska (b. 1985, in Warsaw, Poland) lives and works in London. Her photographs have been exhibited extensively and internationally, including at TATE Britain, London; Kunsthalle Basel; MoMA, New York; 10th Berlin Biennale; Museum Marres, Maastricht; Gateway, Abu Dhabi; ICA Singapore; Sadie Coles, London; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (all 2017); at Fondazione Prada, Milan; Southard Reid, London; Hayward Gallery, London (all 2014); Bloomberg New Contemporaries, ICA, London and Spike Island, Bristol; and Jerwood Space, London (2013). Her work is included in public collections including The Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA, Arts Council Collection, London. Publications include Frantic (Humboldt Books, 2017) and Frowst (MACK, 2014).

Polly Fleury
Polly Fleury is Director of Special Projects at the Wilson Centre for Photography where she works closely with museums, artists, galleries and publishers bringing historical and contemporary photography to public view..

Michael Mack
Michael Mack is the publisher of MACK.