Lee-Ann Olwage is a visual storyteller from South Africa who uses collaborative storytelling to explore themes relating to gender and identity.
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She is interested in using the medium of photography as a mode of co-creation and celebration. With her long term projects, she aims to create a space where people she collaborates with can play an active part in the creation of images they feel tells their stories in a way that is affirming and celebratory.
2024
World Press Photo Story of the Year
Esperanza Pertusa International Photography Award
Anna Award
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2023
World Press Photo
Sony World Photography Awards
International Women in Photo Award
Siena Creative Photo Awards
V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography Shortlist
Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture Finalist
2022
CAP Prize
Photo Vogue The 40 Next Great Fashion Image Makers
Eddie Adams Workshop Alumni
PH Museum Women Photographers Grant Shortlist
Prix Virginia Jury’s Choice
Photo Vogue & Voice NFT Residency
Royal Photographic Society IPE 163
New York Times Portfolio Review
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2021
Bob & Diane Mentorship Grant
Winner of This Is Gender
Pride Photo Award
Sienna International Photography Awards
Royal Photographic Society Exhibition
PHmuseum Documentary Masterclass
Marilyn Stafford FotoAward Shortlist
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2020
World Press Photo Winner
Palm Photo Prize Nominee
Social Documentary Network AFRICA Spotlight
Marilyn Stafford FotoAward Shortlist
CAP Prize shortlist
International Photography Awards Honorable Mention
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2019
Blink Portfolio Review, New York
Native & IWMF Female Leadership Bootcamp Participant - Kenya
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2018
The Independent Photographer Portrait Finalist
2017
''Through My Eyes' Celebrating Female Photographers Winner
2024
World Press Photo
The Right To Play Solo exhibition, Japan
Tree of Life, Photo Vogue, Italy
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2023
World Press Photo
Sony World Photography Awards, UK
Photo London, UK
Mesnographies, France
Atlas Gallery London - Seen Not Heard, UK
Eyes on Main Street, USA
Indian Photo Festival, India
Bucharest Photofest, Romania
Siena Awards, Italy
2022
Celebration, Bonne Espérance Gallery, Paris
Photo Vogue Festival, Italy
Too Young To Wed, Girls on the Brink, USA
Royal Photographic Society IPE 163 Exhibition, UK
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2021
Deichtorhallen Hamburg Family Affairs
Pride Photo Award Netherlands
Aspire X PLP African Photography Auction
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2020
World Press Photo
Athens Photo Festival
2019
Head On Photo Festival
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2018
Unstill Life
Photo Katmandu Nepal
2017
The Interrupters
Amplify Studio, Cape Town
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2016
The Prison Freedom Project
Ongaro Studio, Cape Town
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2014
Silent Moments
Bello Studio, Cape Town
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