Since 1955, the World Press Photo Exhibition has been known for broadcasting some of most powerful moments throughout the year. From the blockbuster headlines to the quiet everyday happenings, the selected photographs capture the essence of what is happening around the world. This year’s pool of finalists was selected from a huge showing of entries – 4,738 individual photographers from 129 countries submitted a staggering 78,801 images for consideration. The nominees have been drawn from a pool of 25 countries (including Australia) across categories including the illustrious Photo of the Year, Contemporary Issues, Environment, General News, Long-Term Projects, Nature, People, Sports and Spot News. Brisbane Powerhouse has been the lucky home of the exhibition for 12 years now in Brisbane.
As expected, selection of winning images in the World Press Photo Exhibition evoke a huge spectrum of emotions – as all true art should. This year’s World Press Photo of the Year is one you may already be familiar with, and it comes from the brilliant mind (and lens) of US photographer John Moore. His highly emotive image Crying Girl on the Border shows Honduran toddler Yanela Sanchez crying as she and her mother, Sandra Sanchez, are taken into custody by US border officials in McAllen, Texas on 12 June 2018. The heartbreaking scene has a (somewhat) happy ending – after it was circulated worldwide, US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Yanela and her mother had not been among the thousands who had been separated by US officials. As a roll-on effect, public outcry over the controversial policy saw President Donald Trump reverse it on 20 June 2018.
Want to see some of the most eye-catching, beautiful, revealing and provocative moments in history? The World Press Photo Exhibition 2019 lands at Brisbane Powerhouse from July 12 to August 4 and is free to view, so take a look!
Image credits
Image one: Dakar Fashion – Finbarr O’Reilly
Image two: The Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi – Chris McGrath
Image three: Almajiri Boy – Marco Gualazzini
Image four: Shields Strikes Back – Terrell Groggins
Image five: Evacuated – Wally Skalij
