The 2009 Lucie Awards in NYC!

The Lucie Foundation Awards are in town again and there is a series of events not to be missed!

Here is a list of the main events:

Friday night Oct 16, Tim Montoani at the Farmani Gallery, 111 Front Street, DUMBO section of Brooklyn – 6-9 pm www.farmanigallery.com

Saturday night Oct 17, IPA/Lucie Awards competition Best of Show exhibition and party, Splashlight studios, 75 Varick Street, Soho – 7-10 pm

Sunday afternoon, Oct 18, Lucie Lectures East, Splashlight studios, Soho http://www.lucieawards.com/09/invites/LucieLectures_Enfoco.php for invitation

Monday, Oct 19, 6PM – LUCIE AWARDS, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center www.lucieawards.com


Please see more information below for press releases about nominees and awards.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Sherrie Berger
310.503.4455
press@sherrieberger.com
www.photoawards.com
Best of Show available via ftp or CD



IPA ANNOUNCES FINALISTS for
2009 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Los Angeles, Calif. (August 25, 2009) - The International Photography Awards (IPA) announced the Finalists for the International Photographer of the Year, The Discovery of the Year and the Deeper Perspective Award for 2009. The winners will be revealed at the Lucie Awards on Monday evening, October 19, 2009 at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/ The Lucie Awards, presented by the Lucie Foundation, celebrate their 7th year anniversary. In addition to the winners of this competition, honorees will be recognized at the ceremony. The Lucie Awards, produced by the Lucie Foundation, (a non-profit, charitable foundation), salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, discover emerging talent through the International Photography Awards and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide.
There were almost 18,000 submissions in competition this year from 104 countries around the world. Hossein Farmani, founder of the Lucie Awards commented, “We are absolutely delighted that the International Photography Awards have been able to grow and attract such a vast number of quality submissions. We’ve seen such stellar creative work from so many photographers around the world. The high level of interest in each and every category has been outstanding. The IPA is excited to promote the winning work from this year's competition and expose the photography industry to new and exciting work every year.”
Finalists for International Photographer of the Year are: Andreas Smetana, Michael Schnabel, Achim Lippoth, Nadav Kander, Francois Robert, Kacper Kowalski, Céline Clanet, and Sue Flood.
Finalists for Discovery of the Year are: Rosanna Anson, Thomas Wissmann, Andy Spyra, Elliott Wilcox, James Knight-Smith, Alain Paris, and Alan Kupchick.

Finalists for the Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year are: Rachel Papo, Christian Vium, Yann Gross, Lamia Abillama, Alberto Lizaralde, and Eugenia Maximova.

IPA prizes include $10,000 for the International Photographer of the Year Award provided by AtEdge. The winner of the Discovery of the Year Award is given a prize of $5,000, and the Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year is awarded $5,000, which is provided by Blurb. The winners are published in the IPA Annual book distributed throughout the international photography community.

The Lucie Awards official media partner is PDN and Photo Plus International. LaCie, the leading provider of integrated storage solutions, color monitors and accessories, sponsors this year’s Lucie Awards. Additional support is provided by, AtEDGE, Blurb, Duggal, Hance Partners, and Splashlight Studios.
Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/

LUCIE AWARDS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT CATEGORY NOMINEES
IPA Members and General Public Nominate
Photography Industry Professionals in Support Categories
Presented by The Lucie Foundation

Los Angeles, Calif. – (Oct 1, 2009) - In addition to celebrating the masters, The Lucie Awards, presented by The Lucie Foundation, will recognize six professionals and organizations in the creative community, all of whom are essential to the process of crafting the exceptional types of images that are celebrated. This year’s gala Lucie Awards will be held at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Individuals in the photography community and related industries nominated and voted at http://www.photoawards.com/lucievote/index.asp. This year, both online picture editors and online magazines have been added to the list of eligible nominees. Lucie embraces technology so that excellence is awarded across all platforms. The nominees are below:
Book Publisher of the Year (awarded to publisher):

- Phaidon for Memories of Myself by Danny Lyon.
- Kodansha Company Limited for This Day of Change by 132 Photographers from 79 countries, in concert with Courrier Japon.
- Verso Limited Editions for Central Park by Bruce Davidson.
- 21st Editions for The Journal of Joel-Peter Witkin: The Maxims of Men Disclose Their Hearts.
- Morel Books for Moonmilk by Ryan McGinley.
- Steidl for Marc Jacobs Advertising 1998-2009 by Juergen Teller.

Fashion Layout of the Year (awarded to magazine publications):

- W Magazine for Paperbag Princess by Craig McDean, September 2009.
- Harper's Bazaar for Supermodels, Supernatural by Peter Lindbergh, September 2009 - Vogue Germany for Femme Fatale by Patrick Demarchelier, August 2009.
- Harper's Bazaar for Thriller Fashion by Terry Richardon, September 2009.
- Vogue Italia for Performance by Steven Meisel, September 2009.
- V Magazine for Live from New York by Mario Sorrenti, Fall 2009.

Curator/Exhibition of the Year (awarded to curator):

- Virginia Heckert and Anne Lacoste for Irving Penn:Small Trades, Getty Center, Los Angeles, California.
- Paul Roth for Richard Avedon:Portraits of Power, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Sarah Greenough for Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Eve Raspini for Into the Sunset: Photography's Image of the American West, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
- Laurence Miller Gallery, Helen Levitt 1913 - 2009, A Memorial Tribute, New York, New York.
- Gay Icons selected by Waheed Alli, Alan Hollinghurst, Elton John, Jackie Kay, Billie Jean King, Ian McKellen, Chris Smith, Ben Summersmil, Sandi Toksvig and Sarah Waters, National Portrait Gallery, London, England.

Print Advertising Campaign of the Year (awarded to photographer):

- Agency - CLM BBDO France for Client Pepsi entitled Exchange, photographed by Vincent Dixon.
- Agency - Droga5 USA for Client Puma entitled L.I.F.T. photographed by Nadav Kander.
- Agency - GSD&M's Idea City USA for BMW entitled Mad Men photographed by Anton Watts.
- Agency - FFL France for Wrangler entitled We Are Animals photographed by Ryan McGinley.
- Agency - 180 Amersterdam/TBWA Amsterdam for Adidas entited Air-Cooled Training photographed by Carlos Serrao.

Picture Editor of the Year (awarded to picture editor):
- Dora Somosi, Director of Photography for GQ Magazine.
- David Griffin, Director of Photography for National Geographic.
- Kathy Ryan, Director of Photography for New York Times Magazine.
- Alan Taylor, Online Photo Editor for Boston.com/BigPicture.
- Steve Fine, Director of Photography for Sports Illustrated.

Photography Magazine of the Year (awarded to publisher):

- Aperture Magazine
- BurnMagazine.org
- C International Photography Magazine
- Foam International Photography Magazine
- GUP (Guide to Unique Photography) Magazine
- Lunaticmag.com
- Nueva Luz Photographic Journal

In addition to these support categories, legendary photographers and top winners from the 2009 IPA competition will be recognized on October 19 at the 7th annual Lucie Awards at the recently renovated Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. The Lucie Awards, produced by the Lucie Foundation, (a non-profit, charitable foundation) salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, discover emerging talent through the International Photography Awards and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide


About the Lucie Foundation
The Lucie Foundation’s three fold mission is to honor master photographers, to discover and cultivate emerging talent and to promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. The photography communities from countries around the globe pay tribute to the year’s most outstanding photographic achievements at the annual Lucie Awards ceremony. The Lucies recognize men and women whose life’s work in photography merits the highest acclaim by their peers. This year alone, the Lucie Foundation rolled out programming in Los Angeles, and New York including MOPLA, Fresh Fairs and Fresh Look, Lucie Lectures East and West, the mentor program and scholarships, as well as Pro’jekt LA summer series of outdoor photographic projections. The winners of IPA Photographer of the Year, the Discovery of the Year and Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year are announced at the Lucies and are awarded cash prizes and statues. The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.

Lucie Foundation Awards Finalists!

IPA ANNOUNCES FINALISTS for
2009 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Los Angeles, Calif. (August 25, 2009) - The International Photography Awards (IPA) announced the Finalists for the International Photographer of the Year, The Discovery of the Year and the Deeper Perspective Award for 2009. The winners will be revealed at the Lucie Awards on Monday evening, October 19, 2009 at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/ ; The Lucie Awards, presented by the Lucie Foundation, celebrate their 7th year anniversary. In addition to the winners of this competition, honorees will be recognized at the ceremony. The Lucie Awards, produced by the Lucie Foundation, (a non-profit, charitable foundation), salute the achievements of the world's finest photographers, discover emerging talent through the International Photography Awards and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide.

There were almost 18,000 submissions in competition this year from 104 countries around the world. Hossein Farmani, founder of the Lucie Awards commented, "We are absolutely delighted that the International Photography Awards have been able to grow and attract such a vast number of quality submissions. We've seen such stellar creative work from so many photographers around the world. The high level of interest in each and every category has been outstanding. The IPA is excited to promote the winning work from this year's competition and expose the photography industry to new and exciting work every year."

Finalists for International Photographer of the Year are: Andreas Smetana, Michael Schnabel, Achim Lippoth, Nadav Kander, Francois Robert, Kacper Kowalski, Céline Clanet, and Sue Flood.

Finalists for Discovery of the Year are: Rosanna Anson, Thomas Wissmann, Andy Spyra, Elliott Wilcox, James Knight-Smith, Alain Paris, and Alan Kupchick.

Finalists for the Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year are: Rachel Papo, Christian Vium, Yann Gross, Lamia Abillama, Alberto Lizaralde, and Eugenia Maximova.

IPA prizes include $10,000 for the International Photographer of the Year Award provided by AtEdge. The winner of the Discovery of the Year Award is given a prize of $5,000, and the Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year is awarded $5,000, provided by Blurb. The winners are published in the IPA Annual book distributed throughout the international photography community.

The Lucie Awards official media partner is PDN and Photo Plus International. LaCie, the leading provider of integrated storage solutions, color monitors and accessories, sponsors this year's Lucie Awards. Additional support is provided by, AtEDGE, Blurb, Duggal, Hance Partners, and Splashlight Studios.

Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/

Xto Nude Image Awards

Photo- Laura at Evelyn's by Sarah Small

I told you folks SEX SELLS!

It is in the air and all over,  we are even on Full Moon...Awuuuu!!!!

In this case this is done tastefully and without demeaning any gender or sex itself!

I am planning to attend this show. Sarah Small work is in it so, you know it is going to be good!

Congratulations Sarah Small Winner of the Fine Art Photography Category!

Farmani Gallery Presents Xto Nude Image Awards Winners Showcase Exhibition July 9-18, 2009 Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6pm   (July 8, 2009, Brooklyn, NY) Please join us for an evening of art and awards at the first annual Xto Nude Image Awards exhibition. Grand prize and 2nd prize selections for photography and illustration  will be announced. The Farmani Gallery is located at 111 Front St., Ste. 212, Brooklyn, NY in the DUMBO neighborhood between Washington and Adams St. By subway take A or C to High St., F to York St. or 2 and 3 to Clark St. Station. Gallery hours: Wed. - Sat.: 1 - 6PM. Information: www.farmanigallery.com or info@farmanigallery.com or ph# 718-578-4478.  July 2, 2009, Brooklyn, NY) Grand Prize and 2nd Prize Selections for Photography and Illustration to be Announced at Opening Night Reception on July 9, 2009.   The Xto Nude Image Awards Winners' debut exhibition will open at The Farmani Gallery, on July 9, 2009.  The Grand and 2nd Prize winners for photography and illustration in this international online competition will receive $2000/$1000 and be announced at an opening night reception between 6-8:30 p.m.   The first and second runners up will be showcased in the gallery and run through July 18th.  Winners were chosen from among more than 1,000 pieces of work submitted from 53 countries.The winners are: PHOTOGRAPHY: Winkler+Noah-Advertisement; Michael Grecco-Body Art; Leland Bobbe-Body Art; Kevin Necessary-Book; Peter van Stralen-Book; Dominic Rouse- Digitally Enhanced; Den Cops-Digitally Enhanced; Daniel Tuckmantel-Editorial; Marc Beaussart-Editorial; Craig Morey-Erotica; Vlad Gansovsky-Erotica; Ward Roberts-Fine Art; Sarah Small-Fine Art;  Vanessa Warren-Nature; Bjørn Venø-Nature. ILLUSTRATION: Michael Putman-Advertisement; Jeff Wack-Book; Meghan Vaughan-Erotica; Sean Donahue-Erotica; Tansy Myer-Fine Art; Joanna Coke-Fine Art; Jody Hewgill-Nature; Craig Elliott-Nature.   Xto Nude Image Awards (www.x.to) offers photographers and illustrators from around the world the opportunity to submit their work and be judged by esteemed editors, publishers, curators, gallery owners, art collectors, consultants, creative directors and art directors.  Through this online competition, the organization's mission is to acknowledge and promote visual artists whose work is primarily inspired by the human form.  New submissions are now being accepted for the 2010 winners' exhibition in Los Angeles.

The Lucie Foundation | 550 N. Larchmont Boulevard Suite 100 | Los Angeles, CA 90004 | 310-659-0122 www.luciefoundation.org

Interview with Photographer Erwin Olaf

Erwin Olaf-The Ice Cream Parlor, 2004




Ruben Natal-San Miguel a member of ARTmostfierce Art Blog had the privilege and pleasure during the Lucie Awards Press Luncheon on Sunday October 19, 2008 @ Splashlight Studios to conduct interviews with several of the award recipients.



Erwin Olaf, honoree for Achievement in Advertisement , Susan Meiselas for Achievement in Photojournalism and Herman Leonard for Achievement in Portraiture were ones who I had such honor to ask several questions.

Due lack of time and creative ways , I decided to formulate and ask the same questions to see how different or similar their answers will be. The interviews will be posted in three different blog postings to provide each artist the images and attention that they surely deserve!



Ruben Natal-San Miguel- Congratulations Erwin!

Your body of work is extremely elegant, avant garde, rich in detail, sophisticated and your Aperture Monograph is such a gorgeous publication



Erwin Olaf- Thank you very much!



RNSM- Your photographs have a cinematic/ documentary quality, Is that your main source of inspiration?



EO- A lot of my work takes on inspiration from the 1970-1980's Italian , Spanish and German cinema. Films by directors David Lynch, Federico Fellini, Pier Paolo Passolinni and Almodovar are among my favorites. I like to portray the inner life of people. There is always a story behind them but, I always leave it open to the audience so they can make their own interpretation. Also, I like to pay great attention to detail, the eye for detail is very important to me. In addition some of my inspiration comes from the paintings of Norman Rockwell, Edward Hooper and the photography of Guy Boudin, Helmut Newton and Christopher Makos.

I had done some video but , they so far last roughly about 3 minutes . I want to make them last longer at least 20 minutes. I want the viewer to observe them for a longer period of time and keep them entranced in the process.




RNSM- How do you establish a difference from your editorial commissioned work vs. your artistic free work?
Is there such a difference? and why?






EO- There is a difference between them but, at times, one can influence the other. On the editorial commissioned work you are selling a product and you need to satisfy the clients needs.

At times it can be difficult but, also is a learning experience for when you do more creative artistic work . There is no boundaries when you are doing your artistic work so it can be more satisfying, however the commission work help you set parameters of how far your artistic work can go.


RNSM- What is your favorite photograph or series of your work?


EO- Oh No! I can't answer that ! That is a very difficult question! LOL!
I must say, that the Mature Series in which I photographed mature woman is very dear to me.
In addittion the Royal Blood series is also dear to me as well.







RNSM- What is the best piece of advice that you can provide to an aspiring photographer in order to succeed?

EO- I think it takes about 3-4 years of hard work. It is very important that you choose your own personality , your own signature style and know yourself really well . Also to have a vision and real motivation in life. They say that every 25 years the establishment finds about 5 individuals to be the next stars and you don't want to wait that long to be the next one.

RNSM- Last question...What are you working on right now? Can you tell us?

EO- Right now I am getting inspiration from Helmut Newton . I am exploring his photo series from the 1970's . I would like to pay homage to his work and develop my own interpretation from it.

RNSM- WOW! I love Helmut Newton's 70's work and I can't wait to see what you generate.
Thank you so much Erwin is a pleasure meeting you and thanks for sharing your opinions with us.

EO- Your welcome!

The Lucie Awards!!!

Start your Monday next week with a bang!
Work is letting you down?
Way too many economical worries?
Well...time to party up!

Actor-comedian Mario Cantone to host
6th annual LUCIE AWARDS
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
honoring photographers on Monday, October 20, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Presented by Pilsner Urquell

Media Contact: Sherrie Berger
310.503.4455
press@sherrieberger.com
www.lucieawards.com

http://www.lucieawards.com/08/
http://www.luciefoundation.org/
Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/

6th Annual LUCIE AWARDS
Celebrate LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHERS at
Prestigious LINCOLN CENTER

Photographers are honored on Monday, October 20, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Presented by Pilsner Urquell

Los Angeles, Calif. (September 9, 2008) - The Lucie Awards, presented by Pilsner Urquell, celebrate their 6th year anniversary at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Monday, October 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Honorees and top winners from the 2008 IPA competition will be recognized. The Lucie Awards, produced by the Lucie Foundation, (a non-profit, charitable foundation), salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, discover emerging talent through the International Photography Awards and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide.

The 2008 honorees are: Gianni Berengo Gardin (Lifetime Achievement), Sara Terry: The Aftermath Project (Humanitarian Award), Richard Misrach (Achievement in Fine Art), Josef Koudelka (Achievement in Documentary), Susan Meiselas (Achievement in Photojournalism), Herman Leonard (Achievement in Portraiture), Patrick Demarchelier (Achievement in Fashion), Erwin Olaf (Achievement in Advertising) and John Iacono (Achievement in Sports). In addition to celebrating the masters, Visa Pour L'Image Festival will be honored with the Spotlight Award for celebrating their 20 year Anniversary in 2008. Each year, Honorees are selected by the 55 member Advisory Board.
-more-
Past honorees include: Larry Clark, Elliott Erwitt, Kenro Izu, Albert Watson, Melvin Sokolsky, Steve McCurry, Mary Ellen Mark, Sebastiao Salgado, Bert Stern, James Nachtwey, Douglas Kirkland, Sarah Moon, Harry Benson, David Bailey, Neil Leifer, Peter Lindbergh and the late Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Philip Jones Griffith and Cornell Capa.
The Lucies will also recognize those in the creative community who are integral in crafting an image in the following categories: Print Advertising Campaign of the Year, Fashion Layout of the Year, Photography Magazine of the Year, Book Publisher of the Year, Exhibition/Curator of the Year and Picture Editor of the Year. The IPA competition will announce its top winners from the 2008 competition and distribute $20,000 in cash prizes across the top three awards.
The Lucie Awards official media partner is PDN and Photo Plus International. In addition to title sponsor Pilsner Urquell, support is provided by Blurb, Amvona, AtEDGE, Canon and Splashlight Studios.

Tickets for the Lucie Awards are available at http://www.lincolncenter.org/


About the Lucie Foundation

The Lucie Foundation’s three fold mission is to salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, to discover and cultivate emerging talent and to promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. The photography communities from countries around the globe pay tribute to the year’s most outstanding photographic achievements at the annual Lucie Awards ceremony. Presented by Pilsner Urquell, the Lucies recognize men and women whose life’s work in photography merits the highest acclaim by their peers. The winners of IPA Photographer of the Year, the Discovery of the Year and Deeper Perspective Photographer of the Year are announced at the Lucies and are awarded cash prizes and statues. The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.


About Pilsner Urquell

Pilsner Urquell is the first clear golden beer, created in 1842. Pilsner Urquell means ‘pilsner from the original source’. Pilsner Urquell is the flagship brand of SABMiller’s international brand portfolio and is a contender in the premium status segment of the market. The brand states its global vision as being ‘To be the most rewarding beer choice amongst premium status beer consumers’.

The brand has made it its mission to support and promote photography as a contemporary art form that inspires people around the world and took on title sponsorship of the International Photography Awards and Lucie Awards in 2005.

FREE ARTIST TALKS with SARA TERRY and HANK WILLIS THOMAS by The Lucie Foundation and Nueva Luz Photographic Journal

Hank Willis Thomas
Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's son in Law 2000/2005
Lightjet Print
Variable
Unbranded Series
Altoids








A very busy but, fun weekend folks !
Another FREE event by the Lucie Foundation!

After Sunday brunch , How about a free artist talk with these two hot artists Sara Terry and Hank Willis Thomas?

ARTmostfierce has been following Hank's work for a while and they will be more to learn with Sara.
Check it out !
Remember to RSVP ...Limited Seating!!!

Please read press release by Sherrie Berger

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Sherrie Berger
310.503.4455
press@sherrieberger.com
www.lucieawards.com
EPK available via ftp or CD


The Lucie Foundation and Nueva Luz Photographic Journal
proudly present:
ARTIST TALKS with SARA TERRY and HANK WILLIS THOMAS
Sunday, October 19th, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Splashlight Studios, Soho
ONE HUDSON SQUARE (75 Varick Street, Third Floor) New York, NY 10013
T. 212 268 7247 www.splashlight.com

Limited Seating Available. Free to the public. RSVP mandatory. lectures@lucieawards.com


Los Angeles, Calif. – (September 7, 2008) The Lucie Foundation & Nueva Luz Photographic Journal, with generous support from Splashlight Studios, proudly present an artist talk with photographer Sara Terry: The Aftermath Project and artist Hank Willis Thomas. Both artists are featured in the current October issue of Nueva Luz and both have monographs that have been published by the Aperture Foundation in 2008. Ms. Terry’s book is "War is Only Half the Story, the Aftermath Project-Volume 1", and Mr. Thomas’ is “Pitch Blackness.” These books will be on display this evening, along with other Aperture titles. Additionally, Ms. Terry will be honored with the 2008 Humanitarian Award at this year’s Lucie Awards ceremony, Monday, October 20 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Ms. Terry will present work from The Aftermath Project, for which she is receiving the Lucie Award. Terry met a woman she calls Mariam in Sierra Leone in June 2007 while working on her long term project, “Forgiveness and Conflict: Lessons from Africa.” To protect Mariam’s privacy, Ms. Terry found a way to let her tell her story without showing her face. Mariam used a camera for the first time in her life which allows us to see her world through her eyes, without seeing her face. The camera became a metaphorical tool, a way of telling the story of her life in the bush, according to the artist.
Terry’s work has been published in newspapers and magazines in the United States, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Bosnia, and Japan. Her photos have also been widely exhibited, at such venues as the United Nations, the Moving Walls exhibition at the Open Society Institute in New York, the Museum of Photography in Antwerp, and the Leica Gallery in Solms, Germany. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and in many private collections. Ms. Terry’s long-term project in Bosnia – and her conviction that war is only half the story – led her to start a non-profit grant program, The Aftermath Project, www.theaftermathproject.org, which helps photographers cover the aftermath of war and other conflicts.

Mr. Thomas will speak about the traveling exhibition Engulfed by Katrina, curated with Deborah Willis - and then present his latest projects B®anded, and Unbranded: Reflections in Black from Corporate America 1968-2008. “Engulfed by Katrina” is an exhibition project examining and interpreting the experience of Katrina on the Gulf Coast so the impact of this horrific experience is not forgotten and overshadowed by more recent headlines. For his recent work, Thomas talks explicitly about race, class and history in a medium that almost everyone can decode. By “unbranding” media and advertising, he encourages viewers to look harder and think more deeply about how advertising reinforces generalizations surrounding race, gender and cultural identity. Raised in New York City, Thomas graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and received his MFA from California College of the Arts. His work has been published in numerous books and publications and he has exhibited in galleries and museums nationally and internationally including PS1, the Studio Museum in Harlem, Zacheta National Museum of Art in Poland, The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Thomas received a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Award in 2006, and is a recipient of the 2007 Renew Media Arts Fellowship (Rockefeller Foundation) and the Aperture West Book Prize in 2008. Thomas was an artist in residence at the Headlands Center for the Arts near San Francisco, and Light Work.

About the Lucie Foundation
Lucie Foundation’s three fold mission is to salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, to discover and cultivate emerging talent and to promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. The Lucie Foundation, which presents a variety of programs, including the Lucie Awards, will also introduce new programs featured around education and exhibitions. For more information, please visit www.luciefoundation.org The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.


About Nueva Luz
Published three times per year by En Foco Inc, Nueva Luz is the country’s only bilingual non-profit journal to feature contemporary fine art and documentary photographers of diverse cultures -- primarily U.S. residents of Latino, African and Asian heritage, and Native Peoples of the Americas and the Pacific. Founded in 1974, En Foco helps artists become visible to the art world, while remaining accessible to under-serviced communities. Through publication, exhibitions, workshops, and events, it provides professional recognition, honoraria and support to photographers as they grow into different stages of their careers. Funding for Nueva Luz is provided by The New York State Council on the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Bronx Council on the Arts, subscribers and patrons of En Foco’s Print Collectors Program. For more information: www.enfoco.org info@enfoco.org 718-931-9311