Return to Romania – Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant

The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant announces rebrand, new website and the launch of the next exciting stage of its journey, partnering with Canon Europe, The Guardian and The British Centre of Photography, amongst others, to support young and emerging photojournalists across the globe.

Many years back, only a year or so after I was finished at college and starting my fledgling career in photography, I got a call to say I’d won the inaugural Ian Parry Memorial Award (as it was known then). The award had been set up in memory of young photojournalist Ian Parry who had died while covering, on assignment for The Sunday Times, the Romanian Revolution in December 1989.

Receiving the call from Aidan Sullivan picture editor at the Sunday Times, to tell me I’d won the award, is still a moment I can picture in my head, and even parts of the call I remember. Many years have passed since then, and thankfully I’m still in the photography career that that phone call and win of the award help me kickstart.

I won the award with a portfolio of nine images from Romania in the summer of 1990, three of civil unrest, three of childrens’ orphanages and three from within a Roma community. One of each of these folios will be on show at Photo London next week. These images are also in my photography archive, now housed at University of St Andrews.

In December last year I travelled back to Romania, to the village of Popesti Leordeni, to photograph on behalf of the newly named Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant as a sculpture was unveiled commemorating the lives of three journalists, Ian Parry, Danny Huwe and Jean-Louis Calderon, who died in the Romanian Revolution of December 1989. The colour images on this page are from that trip, when I travelled with Charles Parry, brother of Ian, and also picture editor Aidan Sullivan who was Ian’s friend. It was a moving trip for us all, and for me personally it felt like completing a full circle, having won the award for my work from Romania where Ian had died, to now be back with his brother and friend to see the sculpture being unveiled in his memory.

Yesterday the news was announced that the award has rebranded as the Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant and below is the announcement email text. It’s really great to see the Grant go from strength to strength in Ian’s name, and to help the kickstart the careers of other photographers just starting out.

For the last 3 decades, The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant (IPPG) has championed young and emerging photographers as they embark on their career in the world of photojournalism. Each year, the IPPG recipient receives financial support, mentorship and ongoing assistance for the promotion of their work.

Following on from the incredible success in raising funds at the IP x Phillips Auction in November 2021, the IPPG has increased the prize money awarded to £10,000/year. Renowned multidisciplinary design agency TC&Friends has also completed a major rebrand for the charity, including building a dynamic new website which showcases recipients’ incredible work alongside a host of exciting features including a new interactive map of all previous winners’ locations – a valuable resource for photographic commissioners who are looking to work with talented photojournalists from around the world.

The IPPG are proud to announce that The Guardian is our new media partner and we are honoured to be continuing our long-term partnership with Canon Europe who sponsor the grant and print the recipients’ exhibition portfolios.

We’ve initiated an impressive advisory board, headed by British photographer and former Ian Parry recipient Simon Roberts and comprising such highly respected individuals as photographic artist Aida Muluneh, Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer Muhammed Muheisen, the Guardian’s Head of Photography Fiona Shields and Creative Director & Editor Tony Chambers, who will help guide our future. In addition, The Centre of British Photography will be partnering with the IPPG for the annual photographic exhibition of its recipients launching in 2024. Founder of the IPPG Aidan Sullivan has handed over the title of Exec Director to 1992 IPPG recipient and co-curator of the Incite Project Harriet Logan, but remains chairman and founder. We are delighted to announce the Legacy of War Foundation will be assigning the grant recipient to document one of its projects under the guidance and mentorship of the founder and CEO, renowned photojournalist Giles Duley.

Come and see us in the Discovery Section at this year’s Photo London at Somerset House, running 10th – 14th May where The IPPG will be showcasing the last 3 years of grant recipients’ work, as well  as an exhibition of photojournalism submitted to the IPPG since it began 30 years ago, prints will be available to purchase directly from Stand D21 for the duration of the fair. 

Thanks for reading. Hope to see you in London next week.