Sarah Straussberg Unveils Latest Commission

This is the third year running that Straussberg has been commissioned to create the award, with previous winners including photography icons Sebastião Salgado and Don McCullen. This year’s winner is another hugely influential artist: Taryn Simon. 

Simon is a multidisciplinary artist working in photography, text, sculpture and performance. Guided by an interest in systems of  categorisation and classification, her practice involves extensive research into the power and structure of secrecy and the precarious nature of survival. 

The geometric nature of Simon’s categorical works resonates with Straussberg’s own design ethos, and this in turn became the frame for composing the fragmented  ‘P’ and ‘L’ from Photo London’s identity. 

Simon’s work explores the link between language and the visual world, and in ‘Paperwork and the Will of Capital’ she recreates the oral arrangements that were present at historic international agreements. Reminiscent of old- fashioned slides or polaroids, Straussberg took inspiration from  these in the decision to split the identity across several slides that when layered, recreate the image as a whole. 

Straussberg commented,

“The choice of materials for this award was crucial in accentuating the bold feel of the design. Simon’s work is often shocking and sad in a detached, emotionless way, so with this in mind I wanted to use tough, uncompromising materials. Stainless steel creates slim and precise slides that are strong and rigid, in combination with the subtle richness of dark walnut. It is a continued honour to work with Photo London and create tactile, expressive pieces of work that recognise some of the world’s best photographers. “ 

Stocked across the UK and internationally, Straussberg’s sculptural, handcrafted jewellery will be exhibited this year at  Design Junction,  Goldsmiths’ Fair  and  Handmade at Kew.

www.sarahstraussberg.com