AMSTERDAM.- On March 13th Alex Prager (b. 1979, USA) was chosen as the winner of the Foam Paul Huf Award 2012 by an international jury. This annual prize given to a photography talent under 35 years consists of € 20.000 and an exhibition in Foam Amsterdam. Prager’s work will be on show in Foam from August 31st to October 14th, 2012.

The Foam Paul Huf Award continues to attract portfolios from all over the world. Out of 100 nominees this year, 49 were from Europe, 13 from Asia, 19 from North America, 6 from South America, 3 from Africa and 10 from the Middle East.

The jury was quoted as saying, “We would like to recognise the incredible diversity and richness of nominations from all corners of the world. Our shortlist resulted in a select group comprising the very best in contemporary documentary, fine art and conceptual practice. In our unanimous choice of winner, Alex Prager, the jury recognises work that draws brilliantly on different but complementary threads in the photographic tradition, but that nevertheless results in a fresh and distinct voice in photography today. The jury would also like to make special mention of Noémie Goudal as runner up, whose work stood out for its complex treatment of form, structure, landscape and environment.”

The chairman of the jury noted on the winner: “Alex Prager’s work is original, intelligent and seductive. She thoroughly deserves her place in the company of former Foam Paul Huf winners, which is fast becoming a who’s who of contemporary photographic practice”.

The members of the jury were:

• Simon Baker, Chairman (UK, Curator of Photography an International Art, Tate)

• Nathalie Herschdorfer (Switzerland, Director International Photography Festival Alt. + 1000)

• Darius Himes (USA, assistant-director Fraenkel Gallery / Co-Founder Radius Books)

• Vasif Kortun, (Turkey, Director research and programs, SALT)

• Viviane Sassen (Netherlands, photographer)

This is the 6th year The Foam Paul Huf Award has been organised. Since 2007 the prize has focused entirely on young, international talent and boasts an impressive list of previous winners. These include:

2007 - Mikhael Subotzky (1981, South Africa) and Taryn Simon (1975, US);
2008 - Pieter Hugo (1976, South Africa);
2009 - Leonie Hampton-Purchas (1978, UK);
2010 - Alexander Gronsky (1980, Estonia);
2011 - Raphaël Dallaporta (1980, France).

Foam has a special relationship with Dutch photographer Paul Huf (1924-2002). Huf was known for his innovative approach to photography and was personally involved in the founding of Foam in 2001.