In Pictures: The Terry O’Neill Photography Awards at Nunnington Hall

Exhibition: Terry O’ Neill Photography Awards, Nunnington Hall (National Trust) Yorkshire February 19 – April 3 2011.

Nunningtom Hall, the National Trust property in Yorkshire is opening up for the spring season with a stunning photography exhibition.

The 17th century Manor House has built up a reputation for its art exhibitions over the years and the first in the 2011 programme will offer visitors the chance to see the emerging talent showcased by the 2010 Terry O’ Neill Award.

A contemporary international photographic competition founded in 2007 named in honour of one of the UK’s best known photographers, the Awards are designed to be a platform for new and upcoming snappers.

They are open to young photographers over the age of 18 across a wide spectrum of genres and take in fine art, documentary and landscape photography. They are now recognised as one of the industry’s hottest prizes and a key means of bringing new photographers and their work to a wider audience.

The exhibition at Nunnington features work by the ten short listed photographers from the 2010 Awards.

First place was awarded to Spanish photographer Sebastian Liste, whose work “Urban Quilombo” documents the housing deficit in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil which has left thousands of families without a home.

One of the judges, photojournalist Tom Stoddart, commented: “Sebastian Liste’s images powerfully document the lives of sixty homeless families living in an abandoned chocolate factory in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. He is a worthy winner of the Terry O’ Neill award.”

Beyond the hard-hitting social realism of Liste, visitors to Nunnington will find a cross section of work and styles, which according to the Prize Namesake, Terry O’Neil, made judging the 2010 competition “the toughest yet”.

“The calibre, composition and quality of the entrants exceeded my wildest expectations and makes me proud my name is associated with so much talent.

“It is always hard to choose winners when you have so many outstanding and varied entries. One common thread this year, however, seemed to suggest a more gritty approach, reflecting the hardship that many are facing in these difficult times.”

• For more on the Terry O’Neill Awards see www.oneillaward.com