On April 25, thirty-two year-old Norwegian photographer Andrea Gjestvang was announced as the L’Iris d’Or/Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year – beating over 122,000 entries from 170 countries.
The judges voted unanimously for Gjestvang’s powerful series of portraits of youths who survived the July 22 2011 massacre on the island of Utøya, outside Oslo. Titled ‘One day in history’ the series captures the young survivors with immense sensitivity and honesty and are an enduring testament to the resolve of these young people in the face of this unspeakable tragedy.
Upon receiving her award Gjestvang commented: “I feel so honoured, grateful and proud to receive this fantastic recognition and prize. I am grateful the important stories of these young people are reaching out and moving people the way they move me.”
Chair of the Honorary Jury, Catherine Chermayeff, Director of Special Projects at Magnum Photos, adds: “As the Jury Chairman I am delighted that Andrea Gjestvang has won the L’Iris d’Or prize. The entire jury was unanimous in selecting this body of work. “One Day in History” is a quiet, thoughtful and ultimately powerful voice for the children and survivors of the massacre in Norway. We were all moved by the dignity and beauty of these images.”
In just a few years, Andrea Gjestvang has established herself as one of the world’s most exciting young photographers. Her work has been published in Newsweek and Le Monde, and exhibited worldwide. In 2010 she participated in the Joop Swart Masterclass, and in 2012 she was named one of PDN’s 30 New and Emerging photographers to watch. Most recently she was awarded the Photo of the Year prize at the 2012 Norwegian Picture of the Year competition for her portrait of Utøya survivor Ylva Helen Schwenke. Gjestvang’s winning series ‘One Day in History’ was published as a book in Norway in 2012. She is represented by Moment Agency.
The top photo shows Iselin Rose Borch, 15, from Grong, who was hiding behind a rock by the pump house on the island. She was rescued by tourists in a boat. Her mother bought her a dog after the incident because she was afraid of the dark and had difficulty sleeping.
The bottom photo shows Norwegian photographer Andrea Gjestvang.
See the pictures in this Daily Mail article.
Source: World Photography Organisation
Photos by: Andrea Gjestvang
Text modified by: Thor Bugge Lanesskog, ThorNews
thornews.com 
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