Celebrated photographer Gauri Gill has secured the prestigious 10th Annual Prix Pictet Photography and Sustainability Award, claiming the remarkable prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs (approximately $109,219). This award stands as one of the world’s most distinguished recognitions in the realm of photography.
Gill’s extraordinary achievement stems from her outstanding series titled ‘Notes from the Desert,’ a body of work that offers an intimate and profound glimpse into rural Rajasthan, India. Gill was selected from a competitive shortlist of 12 exceptional photographers, cementing her position as a leading figure in the world of contemporary photography.
The Prix Pictet, often regarded as the preeminent award for photography and sustainability globally, was established in 2008 by the Pictet Group, a Swiss multinational private bank and financial services company. The award’s primary mission is to leverage the power of photography to draw worldwide attention to critical environmental issues.
Participation in this competition is exclusively open to individuals nominated through Prix Pictet’s extensive global network, which comprises over 300 nominators, including esteemed critics, curators, and specialists in the visual arts. These nominators are entrusted with recommending portfolios that demonstrate the artistic prowess and power demanded by the prize.
Since its inception, the Prix Pictet organization has seen over 5,000 photographers nominated, all of whom have contributed to a collective portrayal of our planet’s delicate state.
Gill’s ‘Notes from the Desert’ series provides a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the arid landscapes of western Rajasthan, Northern India. Over the past two decades, Gill has immersed herself in these communities, demonstrating her commitment to the concept of ‘active listening.’
Her journey with this project commenced in April 1999 when she embarked on a mission to capture village schools in Rajasthan. As someone predominantly raised in urban environments, she soon realized that these rural schools represented a microcosm of a multifaceted reality she had yet to explore fully.
Through repeated visits to the same people and places over the span of decades, Gill bore witness to the entire spectrum of life in the region: from drought years to bountiful monsoons, from dust storms leading to widespread illnesses to floods that prompted the reconstruction of homes. Her lens captured the struggles of epidemics, the challenges faced by overwhelmed hospitals, and the understaffed schools attempting to provide education. Gill also documented the vibrant moments of festivals, the complexities of local feuds, the joy of celebrations, and the profoundness of prayers.
Gill’s work underscores her deep-seated belief in the value of working within communities and practicing ‘active listening.’ For more than twenty years, she has engaged closely with marginalized communities in the desert of western Rajasthan and, for the past decade, with Indigenous artists in Maharashtra, fostering a profound connection and understanding that permeates her photography.
The theme of the 10th Prix Pictet, ‘Human,’ seeks to spotlight the intricate tapestry of humanity, emphasizing the complexities, vulnerabilities, and strengths of the human condition. It allows artists like Gill to capture and convey the stories, struggles, and triumphs of individuals and communities worldwide.
Isabelle von Ribbentrop, the Executive Director of Prix Pictet, noted, “Through this theme, Prix Pictet aims to foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and inspire meaningful conversations about the issues that impact us all. Especially when thinking about the theme Human, I strongly believe that instead of the future of photography, we should think about photography of the future. The power of the image lies in its ability to foreground critical and urgent environmental issues in a visually impactful yet direct way.”
Gauri Gill’s ‘Notes from the Desert’ exemplifies the profound impact that photography can have in shedding light on critical environmental and societal issues. It serves as a testament to her dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment to documenting the human experience in all its complexity. With the Prix Pictet Award, her exceptional work gains the recognition and accolades it truly deserves, solidifying her status as a luminary in the world of contemporary photography.
