Former Director of the Centre for Art History and Art Theory, Emeritus Professor Helen Ennis has been awarded the prestigious J Dudley Johnston Medal by the Royal Photographic Society, London. The medal is awarded annually for “for major achievement in the field of photographic criticism or the history of photography. It is awarded for sustained excellence over a period of time, or for a single outstanding publication. Named after The Society’s former President and Honorary Curator 1924-1955.”
On hearing news of the award, Magda Keaney, Senior Curator, Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, London (an alumnus of SOAD) commented “Helen’s career as a curator, writer and teacher has been a touchstone and inspiration to many Australian photo curators including me.”
Helen Ennis remains an active participant in our community at ANU. This latest award is further recognition of her valued research leadership.
Now in its 143rd year, the RPS Awards recognise individuals working across both still and moving image. The Awards celebrate significant achievements, showcase new and emerging talent, and highlight notable contributions from RPS members.
The 2021 recipients tell remarkable stories, and their work is a testament to the power of photography to inspire, uplift, incite change and bring about personal, social, and cultural wellbeing.
A video of the award ceremony is available at the following link: https://rps.org/about/awards/
The Royal Photographic Society, one of the world's oldest photographic societies, was founded in 1853 to make the art and science of photography more widely available. Read more about the society here.