The Berenice Abbott Prize
2009 Winners
Congratulations to our 2009 Berenice Abbott Prize first place winner – Sarah Girner from New York, New York. Sarah submitted work entitled "The Transience of Things," a project that takes a unique look at America Suburbia by examining various Estate Sales and the final moments of a home.
In Sarah's words, "The Estate Sale marks the final moments of a home: it is the last time the house exists in all its parts with rooms and objects intact in the way the owner intended. The absence of the owners at the sales only makes their presence more felt. Each picture frame, each panel of wallpaper, each decorative lampshade has been selected with utmost care. The people that used to live in these homes continue to define the rooms and objects. Their presence – or lack thereof – is written across the spaces: on each fixture, each glittery dress, each sturdy armchair, and stack of china. The details of a life can be pieced together by means of the objects, which have been left behind. We don't realize the impermanence of things and it is ironic that the silk plants and prom dressed not only outlast us – they encompass our memories. In these houses I found the remains of family life and an archaeology of loss in which I recognized pieces of myself."
The project was shot in Westchester County, New York with a 1954 Rolleiflex Camera.
Click Here to View Sarah's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Sarah's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
Honorable Mentions: (In alphabetical order by first name)
Alecia Neo, Singapore
"Home Visits"
Click Here to View Alecia's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Alecia's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
Jamie Johnson, Los Angeles, California
"Homeless Children"
Click Here to View Jamie's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Jamie's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
Linda Alterwitz, Las Vegas, Nevada
"Beneath the Surface"
Click Here to View Linda's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Linda's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
Marjorie Salvaterra, Los Angeles, California
"Whole"
Click Here to View Marjorie's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Marjorie's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
Naomi Troeger, Santa Monica, California
"Santa Monica Pier Revisited"
Click Here to View Naomi's Slideshow
Click Here to Download Naomi's "Artist Statement" (PDF)
The contest was juried by Tim Wride and Julia Dean.
The annual Berenice Abbott Prize submission deadline is July 17.