The 9th “1_WALL” Photography Exhibition is part of an open competition for the right to mount a solo show at Guardian Garden. The exhibition will feature works by the six finalists after two rounds of judging: the first round focused on all entrants’ portfolios, and the second round evaluated the portfolio presentations of the photographers selected in the initial round. Each finalist is allocated one wall on which to show his or her works. The final round of judging will take place on October 9 (Wed), i.e. while the exhibition is in progress. During this round, which is open to the public, the six finalists will each give a presentation of his or her works, based on which the judges will select the Grand Prix winner. The winner’s prize is the privilege of holding a solo show at the gallery one year later, plus the right to prepare an exhibition pamphlet.

The ninth exhibition in the series brings together a colorful array of works by the six finalists after the first two rounds, including a large number of portrait photos. Included are: works exploring the relationship between the photographer and her younger brother, the person to whom she is closest of all; works portraying the emotional stress of Korea’s young generation, who agonize over pressures such as military service and university entrance exams; works meticulously recording the community of Japanese-Brazilians residing in Japan; works focusing uneasily on male nudes emerging from darkness; self-portraits by a young photographer in which she places herself within the ideal world of her longing; and works that give new meaning to images remaining in the memory of a digital camera, images the photographer has no recollection of having taken.

We eagerly invite you to join us to find out who will grab this year’s Grand Prix – a rising star sure to be active in the work of photography in the years to come.

The 6 Finalists
*At the open round of final judging on October 9, Yuto Kasai was selected as the Grand Prix winner.