Project Launch: 

JUROR: DEWI LEWIS, Publisher, Dewi Lewis Publishing, U.K.

Michele Palazzi and Alessandro Penso's collaborative project 'Migrant Workers Journey' deals with itinerant farm workers in the south of Italy and the harsh and exploitative conditions which they face in their daily lives. I particularly like the fact that Michele and Alessandro have kept the focus of their subject tight by narrowing down on agricultural workers within a specific region. This offers the opportunity to really confront the problems this group of workers faces - but it will require creating relationships of trust, even friendship. A project such as this needs to go beyond the portrayal of the workers simply as victims, it must reveal our common humanity.

'Shrine' by Angus Fraser is an ambitious project to document sites of both religious and secular 'pilgrimage' around the world. Shot on large format the project promises to be a significant body of work.

Sebastian Liste's 'Bahia' uses strong black and white imagery to convey a sense of place and atmosphere. The work has an edge to it, an emotional charge which combines a rich sensuality underscored by the hint of violence.

Selecting a final winner was a difficult and a narrow decision. All three projects have considerable strengths which could have merited the award. I would hope that the opportunity offered through award will be of help in furthering their completion.