Saatchi Gallery and Huawei are delighted to announce that a solo exhibition of Paola Ismene’s photography, captured on the Huawei P20 Pro, will go on display at the Saatchi Gallery from 22 January – 22 February 2019.
Paola Ismene from Mexico was named the winner of the Huawei and the Saatchi Gallery’s #SelfExpression competition for her entry Daydream in Blue, which was selected from over 9,000 entries by judges Chris Levine, Rachel Maclean, Russ O’Connell, Simon Roberts and Gillian Wearing, who were joined by former Saatchi Gallery CEO Nigel Hurst.
The #SelfExpression Competition invited artists, photographers, creative individuals and anyone with a smartphone to turn their gaze away from the self to document the world and those around them. The open-entry competition gave everyone over 16 the opportunity to share their most expressive images, and what they find beautiful, interesting or noteworthy, with an international audience.
In addition to Paola, nine additional winners were shortlisted; Bob Ballantyne (United States), Denis Cherim (Spain), Duncan Cunningham-Reid (Australia), Emma Gahan (Portugal), Casey Hennessy (UK), Lola Kay (Ukraine), Nick Owen (UK), Jason Pevey (United States) and Vallas Vincent (France).
Paola Ismene says of her practice:
“I construct narratives that negotiate the interaction between the real and the imaginary in pursuit of a collective identity. My work serves as a reminder of what unifies us as human beings: as complex individuals, connected by the same emotions and inhabitants of the same physical plane.”
Philippa Adams, Gallery Director Saatchi Gallery
“Paola’s powerful photography encapsulates the truly creative potential of smartphone cameras. We are thrilled to be giving her the opportunity to show her work at the Saatchi Gallery and continuing the Gallery’s mission to provide a platform for emerging artists.”
Justin Costello, Head of UK Marketing, Huawei Consumer Business Group
“The #SelfExpression competition attracted over 9,000 entries with people displaying incredible levels of creativity and some truly inspiring images. Both Paola’s winning images and the images she has subsequently taken on the P20 Pro are a stunning view into life in her community and totally live up to the founding idea of the competition. We are delighted that Paola’s work will now be shared through the Saatchi Gallery exhibition.”