Joseph Sywenkyj Wins the W Eugene Smith Grant

Photograph/Joseph Sywenkyj

Joseph Sywenkyj has become this year’s recipient of the W Eugene Smith Grant, for his work documenting the lives of people affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. His project, titled Verses from a Nation in Transition, focuses on Ukrainian families dealing with the conflict in their home country.

Sywenkyj was awarded USD 30,000 (approx. Rs. 19,00,000) in a ceremony held in New York City on 15 October. His project was chosen amongst the works of 170 entries from 37 countries. The contest was judged by Anne McNeill, Dora Somosi and jury chair Stuart Alexander.

The other honoree was Magnum photographer Moises Saman, who received a USD 5000 (approx. Rs. 3,10,000) fellowship for his work Discordia: The Arab Spring.

The W Eugene Smith Grant was established in 1979 in memory of the legendary photographer, and each year the grant encourages and supports photographers who are producing humanistic stories. To apply to the 2015 Grants, click here.