Simon Devitt Prize for Photography Winner 2024

An original and thought-provoking image that captured the year’s chosen theme of ‘Borders and Margins’.

— Simon Devitt Photographer and prize sponsor

In response to the choice of medium, Summer explained “I have always been interested in the liminal space present in reality, the boundary of what is and isn’t tangible and found the merging of reflection and space by my windows and light presented this beautifully.”

Standing outside at night, I often observed these lovely illusions of depth and space from my neighbours lighting reflecting off of my windows. ‘In the Line Light’ captures this effect as I photographed into my bedroom from my deck. It presents borders and margins in physical observation, and also conceptual observation as the boundary of distance and layers of material and illumination exist separately but, merge as one within’.

— Summer Horgan, Photography Student Auckland University

In 2024, entries were received from students in both schools. Each brought their own approach to the theme using this as a prompt for an exploration of a wide range of subject matter that included portraiture, landscape both urban and rural and abstract compositions.

Simon Devitt judged the award this year with the assistance of Andrew Barrie and Jim Speers.

Students studying Architecture, Fine Arts, Urban Design or Urban Planning are encouraged to enter this popular competition whereby the winner is chosen for the most original and thought-provoking image which effectively captures the year’s chosen theme ‘Borders and Margins’.

The winning entrant receives a trophy and $1,000.

Finalists were invited to exhibit their work at the Simon Devitt Prize for Photography exhibition, 7-9 October, 2024 Elam ProjectSpace Gallery.

Judging:

• Thematic relevance will be given primary consideration.
• The level of creativity used to illustrate the theme of the competition, including technique and aesthetic quality, will also be taken into consideration.
• A copy of each entry will be reviewed by a judging panel. Winning entries will be selected by Simon Devitt, Photographer.