The famous exhibition World Press Photo is back in the Old Port of Montreal. It features the photo of the year, taken by Albertan Amber Bracken, which shows a work in memory of victims of residential schools. “It’s a photo that touches me personally, deeply,” says the spokesperson for the exhibition, Caroline Monnet.
Caroline Monnet had “a whole range of emotions, both positive and negative” when she saw Amber Braken’s photo. Title Kamloops Residential Schoolimage shows robes hanging from crosses at the site of a former Indian residential school in British Columbia.
The multidisciplinary artist of Algonquin and French origin, who lives in Montreal, believes that Aboriginal realities will go beyond the borders of the country. “These stories we grew up with can no longer be ignored,” says Caroline Monnet. The idea of genocide in Canada is very present and we finally recognize it, in 2022. This photo is very important, not only for the Aboriginal communities, but for our history in Quebec and Canada. »
Amber Bracken is only the fifth woman to win the prestigious Photo of the Year award since World Press Photo was founded in 1955. She is the third Canadian to be crowned. This is also the very first time that the Photo of the Year award features an Indigenous people.
“The World Press Photo is a bit like the Oscars of photography, says Caroline Monnet. That his photo was chosen as the best photo of the year is one of the most prestigious honours. »
Among nearly 65,000 photos
In all, 4,066 photographers from 130 countries submitted nearly 65,000 photos for the contest this year. The 15th edition presents seven exhibitions and a total of 150 photos.
As spokesperson, Caroline Monnet had the right to present her own exhibition herself during the event. As a world premiere, visitors will be able to see his series of photos entitled Ikwewak (Women) and which features First Nations women.
“These are women who free themselves from the colonial gaze, who are presented in a very proud, very elegant, very eccentric way,” says the artist. For the first time, I am combining my practice in photography and my practice in the visual arts. »
►The 15th edition of World Press Photo takes place until October 2 at Bonsecours Market in Montreal. expo-wppmtl.ca