The Rencontres d’Arles

The Rencontres d’Arles is the most prestigious gathering for contemporary photography and a hive of creativity. A natural fit for the Louis Roederer Foundation. It joined forces with the Discovery Award in 2018 to encourage young creative talent.

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Shining a light on the next generation

Since it was founded in 1970, the Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles, the only festival of its kind in the world, has taken up an ambitious challenge. It is on the lookout for changes in the world of the image, encouraging new approaches, questioning the use of new technologies, offering all audiences the chance to experience the image. These have always been the ambitions of the Rencontres d’Arles.

I was already familiar with the Louis Roederer Foundation’s involvement in the world of photography, particularly through its historic support for the Bibliothèque nationale de France. I would like to pay tribute to its vision and boldness. We are delighted that the foundation is working alongside us. We are working together to offer new forms of expression that highlight other points of view, pioneering experimental practices and innovative artistic perspectives.

Christoph Wiesner

Director of the Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles

The Louis Roederer Foundation Discovery Award

The Louis Roederer Foundation supports the Discovery Award, created by the Rencontres d’Arles festival, which has two prizes – the Jury Award and the Public’s Award – awarded to a talented young artist and their cultural organisation who jointly submit their work. These two prizes become acquisitions by the Rencontres, as it showcases the work of a young generation of talent.

Every year, a group exhibition is devised by a curator who is invited to present the 10 international projects selected.

Tshepiso Mazibuko. Pink hair, Phola Park, Thokoza 2017-2018, Ho tshepa ntshepedi ya bontshepe series. Courtesy of the artist.

Poulomi Basu's work for the Discovery Award Louis Roederer Foundation exhibition © Poulomi Basu

François-Xavier Gbré's work for the Discovery Award Louis Roederer Foundation exhibition © François-Xavier Gbré

Rahim Fortune. Billy et Minzly, série Je ne supporte pas de te voir pleurer, 2020. Sasha Wolf Projects et de l’artiste.

2024
Jury Award: FRANÇOIS BELLABAS, Le Centre Photographique d’Île-de-France, Pontault-Combault

Public Award: TSHEPISO MAZIBUKO, Mhlabathi Collective, Johannesburg
2023
Jury Award: ISADORA ROMERO, Magnum Foundation, United-States

Public Award: SOUMYA SANKAR BOSE, Experimenter, India

Special mention: RITI SENGUPTA, Jojo, India
2022
Jury Award: RAHIM FORTUNE, Sasha Wolf Projects, New York

Public Award: MIKA SPERLING, Ahoi, Lucerne

Special mention: OLGA GROTOVA, Pushkin House, London
2021
Jury Award: TARRAH KRAJNAK, as-is.la gallery, Los Angeles

Public Award: ILANIT ILLOUZ, MABA | Fondation des Artistes, Nogent-sur-Marne
2020
Jury Award: POULOMI BASU, Galeries New Art Exchange, Nottingham and Autograph, London

Public Award: FRANÇOIS-XAVIER GBRÉ, Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, Abidjan, Dakar and Paris
2019
Jury Award: MÁTÉ BARTHA, Galerie Tobe, Budapest

Jury Award: LAURE TIBERGHIEN, Galerie Lumière des Roses, Montreuil

Public Award: ALYS TOMLINSON, Galerie Hackelbury Fine Art, London
2018
Jury Award: PAULIEN OLTHETEN, Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire, Paris

Public Award: WIKTORIA WOJCIECHOWSKA, Galerie Confluence, Nantes