PROFILE
Joshua Irwandi (Jakarta, 1991) is a documentary photographer represented by VII Photo Agency Mentorship program and a National Geographic Explorer based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Irwandi received a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and pursued graduate studies in photojournalism and documentary photography at London College of Communication. While working in West Papua, Indonesia, Irwandi was embedded as museum staff at the Asmat Museum and focused on a long-term project on the Asmat people. His project ‘Not A Blank Canvas’ has been awarded the National Geographic Society storytelling grant in 2021.
Irwandi’s work is part of Forhanna Foundation Fund for Young Talent and National Geographic Society’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists grants. He was exhibited at Breda Photo Festival in the Netherlands. One of his images, ‘The Human Cost of COVID-19’, sparked controversy in Indonesia when it went viral after publication by National Geographic. In 2021, he was selected as one of the speakers for the National Geographic Society’s Storytellers Summit. Recently, he was awarded the 2021 World Press Photo Award in General News, Grand Prize winner for Lucie Foundation, and selected as a finalist of The Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography, among several other awards.
Irwandi’s work has been featured in National Geographic, NHK, The Times of London, The Globe and Mail, CNN, TIME, and The Guardian.
ACCOLADES
2021
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Finalist, Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography
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2nd Place, World Press Photo in General News
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Grand Prize, Lucie Foundation Open Call
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1st Place, Picture of the Year Asia, COVID-19 category
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2nd Place, All About Photo Awards
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Best Singles, Indonesian Photojournalist Awards, Citizen Journalist category
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1st Place, Top News, Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest
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2nd Place, General News, NPPA ‘Best in Photojournalism’
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Team – 1st Place, Magazine Picture Editor of the Year, National Geographic, NPPA ‘Best in Photojournalism’
• Honorable Mention, IPA
• Honorable Mention, PX3 Paris Photo Awards
• National Geographic Society RFP ‘Tropical Rainforest’ Exploration Grant
2020
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National Geographic Society COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalist
•
Forhanna Foundation Grant for Young Talent
2019
• Shortlisted, Lucie Foundation Emerging Artist Scholarship
2017
• Finalist, Lugano Photo Days, Emerging Photographer (18-30) Category
2015
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Runner Up, Fujifilm / Young Talent Award, Burn Magazine
2014
• Selected participant, New York Times Portfolio Review
• Selected participant,
VII Photo Masterclass, Milan
• Selected participant,
Eddie Adams XXVII Workshop, New York
• Selected participant, Magnum Photos AGM Masterclass, New York
2013
• Nominated, Exeposé as The Guardian Student Publication of the Year
EXHIBITIONS
2021
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"Indonesian Photojournalist Awards, the National Library of Indonesia
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United Nations SDG, ‘Turn It Around’ in collaboration with Ugur Gallenkus
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American Museum of Asmat Art, St. Paul, MN, ‘Asmat Women and Art’
2020
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BredaPhoto Festival, The Netherlands
2019
• InSumatra Photo Festival, Screening
2014
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American Museum of Asmat Art, St. Paul, MN, ‘Museums and Missions’
•
MA Degree Show, University of the Arts, London College of Communication, UK. ‘Consider This’.
2013
• University of Exeter, ‘I Witness’, UK
SPEAKING
2021
• National Geographic Storytellers Summit, USA
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Beyond Magnum, Chapter III: The Impact of social media, Magnum Photos, USA
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National Geographic Society Asia, Science Agora, Japan
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Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
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Northern Short Course, USA
• International Centre of Photography, New York
•
Komunitas Narasi, Jakarta, Indonesia
•
Picture of the Year Asia, Singapore
• Fujishop, Jakarta, Indonesia
2020
• University of the Arts, London College of Communication, UK
• Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
2015
•
Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, Singapore
2014
• Asmat Photo Community, Agats, Papua, Indonesia
EDUCATION
2014 – 2015
• University of the Arts, London College of Communication, UK
2010 – 2013
• University of Exeter, UK
2007 – 2010
• St. Andrew’s College, Aurora, Ontario, Canada
