UWL graduate shortlisted for British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain Award

Fatbardha Salihu's 'Portrait of Britain' submission of her cousin wearing a dark red hijab and white martial arts robe.

UWL graduate shortlisted for British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain Award

23 February 2023

Fatbardha Salihu, who graduated from the University of West London’s School of Film, Media, and Design with a BA (Hons) in Photography last year, has been shortlisted for the Portrait of Britain Award. Her image is one of 200 featured in the awards book ‘Portrait of Britain Volume 5’.

The award is presented by The British Journal of Photography and is open to professional and emerging photographers alike. It is now in its sixth year and is a celebration of identity and the diversity of a changing nation.

Fatbardha said:

I did not expect to have my work published, it was a huge surprise. It has encouraged me to believe in myself. The photo is of my cousin who is a Taekwondo practitioner and a practising Muslim. I am exploring the modesty, empowerment, and freedom of a young Muslim woman. Contrary to misconceptions, the hijab gives women the freedom of making choices such as practicing a sport.”

Course Leader Peter Bennett said:

It is fantastic that Fatbardha has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. Her image is taken from a series that explores the representation and empowerment of Muslim women and was produced in the studio at UWL using our range of industry-standard lighting and digital facilities.”

Fatbardha worked on the images for the Professional Photographic Practice module. They were exhibited as part of the BA (Hons) Photography final year group exhibition last summer at the Espacio Gallery, London.

Simon Hanna, who leads the Professional Photographic Practice module, said:

“Fatbardha’s is one of the powerful images selected to represent and define the diversity of modern life. The module concentrates on delivering production techniques to professional standards, which, complemented by their Technical Workshop programme, enables students to progress their photography for the professional world.”