Commission
The Prix Pictet has two elements: the prize of CHF 100,000 awarded to the photographer who, in the opinion of the independent jury, has produced a series of work that speaks most powerfully to the theme of the award; and the Commission, awarded by the Partners of Pictet & Cie, in which a shortlisted photographer is invited to undertake a field trip to a region where the Bank is supporting a sustainability project.
For the Earth Commission Pictet & Cie chose to support the work of Azafady, a UK charity and Malagasy-registered NGO that helps the poorest communities in Madagascar develop sustainable ways of living. Shortlisted photographer Ed Kashi was awarded the Earth Commission and visited Madagascar with Azafady in January 2010. Kashi’s trip resulted in the series ‘Madagascar: A Land out of Balance’.
For the Water Commission Pictet & Cie supported one of the projects of WaterAid, a UK charity who work in the developing world to help communities gain access to clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. Shortlisted artist Munem Wasif visited the Satkhira region of south-west Bangladesh, where he was commissioned to produce a series of photographs to highlight many of the issues that WaterAid are working to alleviate there. Wasif travelled many miles through Satkhira and deep into the forests of Sunderban, to create his portfolio ‘Salt Water Tears: Lives Left Behind in Satkhira, Bangladesh’.
