Programs

The programs section presents new exhibitions, awards and an extensive talks program, all of which showcase the diversity and latest developments of the photography and digital art world. This section brings together leading international figures from across the art world, including artists, curators and collectors.

EXPOSURE AWARD

© 2021 Exposure Award Installation Shot.

Partnering with Modern Eye, the Exposure Award aims to support galleries and their emerging artists. Set up in 2019, the Award has celebrated photo-based artists pushing the boundaries of the photographic medium and are innovators in their technique, concept, and approach. Applications are judged by an expert panel of individuals – all leading voices in their sphere of expertise within the photography industry.

Previous winners include Cao Shu (2021), presented by Hive Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing), Xu Guanyu (2020), presented by Gaotai Gallery (Urumqi), and Noémie Goudal (2019), presented by Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire (Paris). The successful galleries received a complimentary 20sqm stand at the Fair. Further details for Exposure Award 2022 will be announced soon.

winners of Past Years

Cao Shu

Xu Guanyu

NOÉMIE GOUDAL

Insights

© 2021 Insights Installation Shot.

Launched in 2016, Insights, is an exhibition focusing on a particular theme or an important moment in the development of photography. Each year PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai commissions a curator to offer a new perspective on photography.

Previous exhibitions include “Imaging Our Futures”, curated by He Yining (2021). The exhibition covered a range of pertinent topics from journalism, advertising and consumerism to our relationship with nature and space exploration; “Fieldwork”, curated by Deputy Director of Para Site (Hong Kong) Claire Shea (2019), and “The Same But Also Changed”, curated by Victor Wang (2018).

Spotlight

© 2021 Spotlight Installation Shot.

Spotlight’s main objective is to highlight an artist whose works are of particular importance to contemporary photography. Past exhibitions have featured Hu Jieming (2021), Marina Abramović (2019), and Hiroshi Sugimoto (2018).

Exhibited Artists

Hu Jieming

MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ

Hiroshi Sugimoto

Ren Hang

CONVERSATIONS

Conversations is a series of talks between artists, curators, gallerists and arts professionals that bring an in-depth look at key themes and ideas shaping photography and digital art today.

Guests for the 2021 edition included Isabella Tam (Associate Curator at M+ Hong Kong), Lisa Springer (Photography Curator V&A), Wang Jun (collector), Yang Fudong (artist), Wang Bing (artist), Gu Zheng (critic), among others.