First edition of the Louis Roederer Photography Prize for Sustainability
20/04/2022
The Louis Roederer Photography Prize for Sustainability was established in 2021-2022 to support contemporary photographers with an interest in shining a light on sustainability and environmental issues.
Champagne Louis Roederer have long patronised the arts throught its Foundation. Since being awarded the title of ‘Major Patron of Culture and Arts’ the Louis Roederer Foundation has supported photography and cinema through the Discovery Award at the Rencontres d’Arles, the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award at La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes and the Louis Roederer Foundation Revelation Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival, and patronising the French Academy in Rome among others. In all these creative endeavours, the Louis Roederer Foundation plays its favourite role in supporting and nurturing talented up-and-coming artists.
Champagne Louis Roederer are passionately committed to sustainability, and for more than 20 years, they have been engaged in ‘renaissance viticulture’ using practices that respect the living environment to allow the nuances of the Champagne terroir to be fully expressed. They use practices inspired by the permaculture model, which allow the ecosystem to self-regulate. These include the use of biodynamic composts, allowing the land to lie fallow for long periods, maintaining hedgerows and low stone walls, growing fruit trees and installing beehives. Louis Roederer’s eco-friendly ethos is rooted in their history and yet looks to the future.
By creating this prize, they can continue to support the arts, while highlighting sustainability and environmental issues. The prize is awarded to the photographer whose work has most impressed the judges with its reflection of the prize’s theme this year, that of ‘terroir’.
Nine internationally recognised figures in the art world were asked to nominate three photographers each to submit their work. Then, an independent panel of six high profile figures, Maryam Eisler, Brandei Estes, Azu Nwagbogu, Darius Sanai, Carrie Scott, and Maria Sukkar, have judged the entrants and selected six artists.
The Shortlisted photographers are: Akosua Viktoria Adu-Sanyah, Elizabeth Bick, Sian Davey, Chloe Dewe Mathews, Jasper Goodall, Sahab Zaribaf.
© Nobu Hotel Portman Square
The works of three finalists will be on exhibition at The White Box, Nobu Hotel Portman Square, in London, from 9th May to 29th May 2022. The winner will be announced by Frédéric Rouzaud, CEO of Champagne Louis Roederer and President of the Louis Roederer Foundation, at an event at Nobu Hotel Portman Square on Wednesday 11th May.