Ukrainian photographer Sasha Kurmaz has been shortlisted for the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2027, one of the most prestigious international awards in contemporary photography.
Source: the prize's website
Details: Kurmaz was nominated for his photo book Red Horse , published by Éditions Images Vevey in November 2025. It is a visual diary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Page from Red Horse by Sasha Kurmaz
The photographer began the project in 2022. It combines documentary photos with personal notes, as well as materials and images found on the streets. The book was designed by graphic designer Nicolas Polli and runs to around 800 pages.
" Red Horse is a powerful reflection on how war transforms our lives and collective memory, and on what it means to create art in times of armed conflict ," the foundation said. Page from Red Horse by Sasha Kurmaz Page from Red Horse by Sasha Kurmaz
The other artists shortlisted alongside Kurmaz are: Iranian documentary photographer Hoda Afshar, for her exhibition Performing the Invisible at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris Canadian photographer Lotus L. Kang, for her installation The face of desire is loss at the Bulgari Pavilion at the 61 st Venice Biennale in Italy Italian artist and photographer Salvatore Vitale, for his exhibition SABOTAGE at Photo Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland.
" The compelling shortlist examines how images shape our understanding of bodies, war, labour and power. Together, the shortlisted artists investigate desire and memory; the human costs of the digital economy; surviving in times of conflict; and the politics of looking ," the foundation said.
The winner will be announced on 29 April 2027 and will receive £30, 000. The other shortlisted artists will each receive £5, 000.
An exhibition of the shortlisted projects will be held at The Photographers' Gallery in London from 10 March to 6 June 2027. It will then move to the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation in Eschborn, near Frankfurt, where it will run from 19 June to 26 September 2027.
The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize was established by The Photographers' Gallery in London in 1996. It recognises and supports innovative approaches to contemporary photography that reflect current social, political and philosophical issues.
Sasha Kurmaz began his artistic career with graffiti writing in the early 2000 s. By 2010, he was a member of the informal Kyiv-based group Psia Krev.
Since 2010, he has worked on independent art projects and photography. Since 2011, he has also collaborated with the Viktor Marushchenko School of Photography.
Kurmaz's artistic practice combines various media and genres, particularly photography, video, performance and interventions in public spaces.
His projects explore the relationship between individuals, society and power, questioning mechanisms of control, representation and visibility.
Earlier, the photographer won the 2026 Kraszna-Krausz Photography Book Award .
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