Winner of Saatchi Gallery and Huawei’s #SelfExpression competition announced

The photographer won the competition, which was part of the From Selfie to Self-Expression exhibition, with her entry Daydream in Blue, and will be awarded a solo show at London's prestigious Saatchi Gallery.

Having opened in March, From Selfie to Self-Expression is the world’s first exhibition exploring the history of the selfie from the old masters to the present day, and celebrates the truly creative potential of a form of expression often derided for its inanity. The show also highlights the emerging role of the smartphone as an artistic medium.

Ismene's image was selected from over 9,000 entries by artists Chris Levine, Rachel Maclean, Simon Roberts and Gillian Wearing, and Picture Editor of the Sunday Times Russ O’Connell, who were joined by Saatchi Gallery CEO Nigel Hurst to form the judging panel.

The nine other entrants, who will also have their shortlisted entry displayed at the Saatchi Gallery, are Bob Ballantyne (United States), Denis Cherim (Spain), Duncan Cunningham-Reid (Australia), Emma Gahan (Portugal), Casey Hennessy (UK), Lola Kay (Ukraine), Nick Owen (UK), Jason Pevey (United States) and Vallas Vincent (France).

Of the win, Paola said: "I am truly grateful for being selected…because it’s a great platform to expose the work of emerging photographers. Mobile photography has allowed me to capture countless images in my everyday life. So I find it fortunate to participate in competitions like this where the use of new technologies in the artistic field are recognised."

Main image: Paola Ismene, Mexico City, Mexico Daydream in Blue © Paola Ismene, 2017