The recipient of the 2022/23 Architecture Photography Fund has been announced as Jane Lam.
The fund is a unique grant, mentorship and exhibition initiative launched in 2020 by architectural photographer Luke O’Donovan. It aims to make the architectural photography profession more diverse and accessible, by providing support to aspiring young photographers from under-represented backgrounds, and creating opportunities for them to develop and showcase their work.
Jane will receive mentorship from Luke as she develops her first long-term architectural photography project, and will exhibit the results at Deptford’s Gareth Gardner Gallery in Summer 2023. She has also been awarded a £750 grant to facilitate the project’s production, and will receive additional production and curatorial support from Gareth Gardner Gallery in the lead-up to her exhibition.
Jane recently completed an MA in film and photography, after moving to London from Hong Kong in 2021. After picking up a film camera three years ago, alongside her studies Jane has built up a photography portfolio of portraits and performances, and is now turning her lens to architecture. She explained: “I am looking forward to exploring the narrative aspect of architectural photography and learning how to build a sustainable career in photography” through the mentorship programme.
Architecture Photography Fund founder Luke O’Donovan said: “We had an exceptional group of applicants this year, and choosing a single candidate from such a crowded field was always going to be a tough challenge — but Jane stood out in the interview stage with the poetic nature of her work, and her passion for storytelling. I’ve enjoyed working with Jane over the first few mentorship sessions, and am excited to see how her work comes together for her exhibition project next summer.”
Architectural photographer, journalist and curator Gareth Gardner added: “I am very excited to be involved in this year’s programme. We received many strong applications, but Jane’s was particularly memorable and evocative. I can’t wait to see how her project develops over the coming months and we look forward to hosting her exhibition at the gallery next year.”
The Architecture Photography Fund grant and mentorship scheme has continued to grow in popularity, with more than 30 applicants for this year’s programme. The inaugural recipient of the award, Kes-tchaas Eccleston, completed the mentorship programme and held his first solo exhibition ‘New Found Forms’ in Spring 2022. Kes reflected that the Architecture Photography Fund has given him “the chance to appreciate a new way of working with and understanding photography”, and he has since gone on to work with clients including the London Festival of Architecture and RIBA, as well as continuing to develop his artistic practice across other media.
Luke is currently working on plans to grow the Architecture Photography Fund into a wider course with a cohort of several mentees each year, and over the coming months will be meeting with potential new supporters of the programme to discuss these plans. Any individuals or organisations wishing to find out more about these plans, or who may be interested in helping with sponsorship or any other form of support for the programme, should get in touch at contact@lukeodonovan.co.uk.