Jemma wins UK photography award

ASPIRING photographer Jemma Wilcock has scooped a prestigious national photography award after capturing images of Liverpool’s cotton heritage.

The World Photography Organisation and InterContinental Hotels Group revealed the Manchester Metropolitan University MA Photography student as the winner of their inaugural national student photography award designed to unearth the next generation of UK photographic talent.

The 24-yr-old from York has been offered a commission to photograph one of the chain’s Hotel Indigo hotels.

Jemma was chosen by judges Anne Bourgeois-Vignon, the Creative Content Director at the editorial platform, NOWNESS and Tom Rowntree Vice President Brand Management Upscale Brands, Europe, IHG.

Wins a commission

The competition saw eight Hotel Indigo hotels in the UK paired with local universities and challenged students to create individual photography projects inspired by the hotels’ local neighbourhood.

Jemma Wilcock beat seven finalist students across the UK with her pictures which which were influenced by the cotton trading heritage of Liverpool.

Her win has earned her the role of being a commissioned photographer for Hotel Indigo and she will now be rewarded with a paid commission to shoot the Neighbourhood Story for the newest Hotel Indigo to open in Europe in 2014.

The finalists photography will be showcased as part of the World Photography Organisation's Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House in May 2014.

Liverpool landmarks

Her project highlights the importance of art within the city, using cotton and nails to represent the Tate Liverpool and the Walker Art Gallery, and the historically significant sites including Liverpool Cathedral and the Royal Liver Building.

Jemma, who describes her work as ‘thoughtful and personal’, said: “The project was very interesting and has been a great experience all round for my future career.”