Jim Goldberg wins the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize with stark refugee series

Photographer Jim Goldberg has won the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Prize for his series Open See, which documents the experiences of refugee, immigrant and trafficked populations trying to make new lives in Europe.

Organised by The Photographers' Gallery, the annual contest singles out the photographer who has made 'the most significant contribution, in exhibition or publication format, to the medium of photography in Europe'.

Goldberg was presented with the £30,000 award by broadcaster and critic Miranda Sawyer at a special ceremony at Ambika P3, where the work of the four shortlisted artists is being displayed while the Photographer’s Gallery refurbishes its galleries in Soho.

The three other shortlisted artists - Thomas Demand, Roe Ethridge and Elad Lassry - were each awarded £3,000.

Goldberg’s work focuses on refugees from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and the way these ‘new Europeans’ have met violence and brutality as well as hope and liberation in their new homes.

• Read our review. Show continues at Ambika P3 until May 1 2011.