Series Showcasing Non-Verbal Communication Captures Jury’s Attention
Christian Dior Parfums, ENSP, and LUMA Arles have announced Chia Huang from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris as the winner of the 7th edition of the “Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents” for her photographic series “Silence is speaking.”
The jury, chaired by renowned French photographer Brigitte Lacombe, included Julie Jones, Art Historian at the Centre Pompidou Photography Department; Laurent Montaron, French contemporary artist; Marina Hoffmann; Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup; and Simon Baker, Director of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris.
The winning series by Chia Huang documents her journey to Taitung, Taiwan, where she met two autistic brothers who communicate through body language, as they live alone with their cancer-stricken father. The images capture their non-verbal communication, effectively “documenting the silent sounds within them.”
Additionally, an honorable mention was awarded to Yiding Wang from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art for his video “Go Back Home,” which portrays a young man carrying a blossoming peach tree to his father’s hometown to honor his final wishes.
Chia Huang will receive a 10,000 euro grant from Dior. Her series “Silence is speaking” will be exhibited at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris starting early 2025. The works of all 12 finalists, including Yiding Wang’s video, will be showcased at the Lampisterie, LUMA Arles, from July 1 to September 29, 2024.
