Deutsche Börse Names 2027 Photography Prize Shortlist
The foundation selects four artists to compete for the prestigious European photography award in April 2027.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation has announced its 2027 shortlist, featuring artists Lotus L. Kang, Hoda Afshar, Sasha Kurmaz, and Salvatore Vitale. The winner of the £30,000 prize will be revealed in April 2027 following an international exhibition tour.
Why it matters
The prize serves as a major indicator of significant contributions to the medium of photography across Europe. By supporting artists through financial awards and exhibition space, the foundation elevates contemporary photographic discourse and practice.
The prize includes a £30,000 top award and £5,000 for each of the three shortlisted runners-up. The works will be showcased through an exhibition featuring installations and visual diaries.
The players
Lotus L. Kang
An artist selected for the photography shortlist for the installation titled The face of desire is loss.
Hoda Afshar
A photographer included in the 2027 shortlist for the exhibition Performing the Invisible.
Sasha Kurmaz
An artist recognized on the shortlist for the photography book titled Red Horse.
Salvatore Vitale
A finalist shortlisted for the photographic project titled SABOTAGE.
Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation
An organization dedicated to the collection, support, and promotion of contemporary photography.
The details
Shortlisted entries include Hoda Afshar’s Performing the Invisible, Lotus L. Kang’s installation featuring 49 spirit bottles, Sasha Kurmaz’s 800-page visual diary documenting 15m bomb craters, and Salvatore Vitale’s project SABOTAGE. Each artist was selected for a specific book or exhibition produced within Europe.
Timeline
March 10, 2027: Exhibition opens at The Photographers' Gallery in London.
April 2027: The winner of the prize will be announced.
June 6, 2027: Exhibition closes at The Photographers' Gallery.
June 19, 2027: Exhibition opens at Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation.
September 26, 2027: Exhibition closes at Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation.
Industry Dynamics
The announcement continues the established cycle of the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize in recognizing top European photographic talent. It reflects broader trends in the fine art market where institutional backing significantly raises the profile of contemporary artists.
The public can view the nominated works starting March 10, 2027, at The Photographers' Gallery in London. After the London run, the exhibition moves to the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation in Eschborn starting June 19, 2027.
The takeaway
The selection of these four artists highlights the diverse ways contemporary photography engages with global themes through installations and visual documentation. Readers interested in the field can monitor the exhibition dates to see how these works are presented in both London and Eschborn.
Further reading
For more information on current trends and artist spotlights, visit our Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Camera World.
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