The Nederlands Fotomuseum has announced the winners of the twentieth edition of the Steenbergen Stipendium: the ultimate prize for the best photographic graduation project created by a student of one of the Dutch art academies.
The Steenbergen Stipendium Public Prize 2017
The Steenbergen Stipendium Public Prize 2017 has been awarded to Niké Dolman (1991, Nederland), WdKA, Photography 2017.
Up until 8 October, visitors to the Nederlands Fotomuseum had the opportunity to vote for their favourite project. The work receiving the most votes was "Welcoming, Recognizing, Also recognizing, Acknowledging, Also acknowledging, Emphasizing, Also emphasizing, Stressing, Recognizing, Emphasizing, Acknowledging, Agreeing" by Niké Dolman.
After reading the Paris Climate Agreement (a 20-page document), Niké Dolman remained particularly struck by its poetic tone. She felt that this tone was entirely at odds with the premise that specific goals and obligations were being imposed on the countries agreeing to this agreement. The more abstract than specific wording (to which the title of the document specifically refers) inspired Dolman to create a free photographic translation of the agreement. In this project, she presents herself as an excellent image-maker who can even capture clichés on camera in such a way that the viewer is tempted to think about what the aim of this climate agreement really is.
The work of all the five nominees will be exhibited in the Nederlands Fotomuseum until 29 October 2017.
Read the full jury report here (in Dutch)
