Susan Meiselas has been honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award at the 18th Sony World Photography Awards. Following Sebastião Salgado’s recognition in 2024, the American photographer now receives this prestigious accolade from the photography community.
An unwavering commitment
This nomination is a major recognition for this key figure in documentary photography, whose commitment to human rights since the 1970s has shaped the way we look at conflicts and issues of representation.
Susan Meiselas has always defended a form of photojournalism open to dialogue, attentive to the voices and dignity of individuals.
Renowned for her collaborative approach to portraiture, Susan Meiselas strives to make visible narratives that are often neglected or relegated to the margins.
His iconic work at the heart of armed conflicts in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Kurdistan, as well as his reports on itinerant striptease dancers (Carnival Strippers 1976) and young New York girls (Prince Street Girls), all bear witness to a demanding, ethical and profoundly human practice, whatever the terrain or environment.
A London retrospective
To celebrate this distinction, which coincides with the third reissue of Nicaragua by Aperture Editions, 60 of his images will be presented at London’s Somerset House from April 17 to May 5, 2025.
This retrospective, built around series that are emblematic of the American photographer’s commitment, looks back over five decades of creative work and the narrative axis woven by the photojournalist over the years.
Susan Meiselas joins the prestigious circle of winners honored by the Sony World Photography Awards for their major contribution to photography, including William Eggleston, Graciela Iturbide, Elliott Erwitt, Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Parr.
A richly deserved recognition for a photojournalist whose courage equals her talent, and whose work continues to resonate with strength and relevance.
