2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize: Photography Award Winners Announced!

It was an honour to judge the photography category for this year’s Beautiful Bizarre competition.  There were so many strong candidates with such intriguing bodies of work!  I can’t wait to follow the trajectory of their careers and the evolution of their artistic vision.

-Catherine Gyllerstrom, Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books

Thank you & Acknowledgements

Once again, we would like to thank all of the photographers that entered and shared their work and their artistic passion with us. It was such a pleasure to immerse ourselves in the work of so many creatives, working across varied mediums and styles, and reading their stories.

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Danijela Krha Purssey has the pleasure of curating each issue of the magazine and our exhibitions. The Art Prize entries will continue to give her a plethora of new ideas and choices to pursue in future. So thank you again for your interest in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, we very much hope to see how your work has grown and developed in next year’s Prize.

Our sincere thanks to the 2024 Jury Panel, particularly the Photography Award category Judge Kristy Mitchell, for giving her time and expertise to the panel. Additionally, we warmly thank the other artist Judges:  Michael Parkes (Traditional Art juror), Erika Sanada (Sculpture juror) and Karl Ortiz (Digital Art juror), as well as the Directors of Modern Eden Gallery, Kim Larson & Bradley Platz.

To our major sponsors: Tracey Maigne & Keeley Gerard, Owners and Directors of Musonium Gallery; 33PA‘s CEO, Marketing Director & Curator, Didi Menendez; RAYMAR President & Creative Director, Emilie Dietrich; Yasha Young Projects Founder Yasha Young; and the Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books, Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, and Snap Collective – our deepest gratitude for supporting this year’s Prize. It is through your support and generosity that the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is able to acknowledge and uplift so many incredible artists and photographers from around the world.

As always a huge thanks to the Beautiful Bizarre team for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the prize and winners all-year round.

Our sincere thanks to this year’s Photography Award sponsors listed below. It is through their generosity that the Photography Award Winners will be able to enrich their practice.

Photography Award

The Photography Award 1st prize winner will receive:

• $2,500 USD cash generously donated by Snap Collective.
• $500 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
• A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 20 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
• 20×30 Epic Print + $250 Lab Credit (worth USD$672) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
• A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
• A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
• The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
• Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
• 3 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 1 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
• Winning artwork printed in the December 2024 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
• Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
• Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
• A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

2nd prize winner will receive:

• $1,000 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
• A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 15 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
• 16×24 Epic Print + $200 Lab Credit (worth USD$532) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
• A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
• The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
• Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
• Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
• Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
• A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

3rd prize winner will receive:

• $500 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
• A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 10 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
• 12×18 Epic Print + $150 Lab Credit (worth USD$389) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
• A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
• The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
• Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
• Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
• Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
• A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

The Winners in each Award category and the Musonium Grand Prize Award Winner will be invited to participate in ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, United States later this year, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists! ‘Paracosmic Escape’ is an international group exhibition Curated by: Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, with Art Direction/Theme Conceptualization by: Musonium Gallery.

‘Paracosmic Escape’ explores themes of retrospection, introspection, and complex relationships with the real world, where internal gateways offer a place of sanctuary to heal from and provide explanation to the effects of reality. ~ Keeley Gerard (Art Director of Musonium Gallery)

Congratulations to the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Photography Award Winners: Stasia Schmidt, Diego Orlando Art & Mothmeister!

3rd Prize Winner

Stasia Schmidt

Currently resides: Canada

“Floe”, Digital Photography, Canon R5, Canon RF 70-200 f/4

Stasia Schmidt (b.1978) is an award winning, fine art photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. Her landscapes and portraits show attention to simplicity and form. She is drawn to unexpected surrealism within the natural environment, and throughout the photographic process Stasia works to layer subversive femininity with stark reality. Self taught, she draws from a deep well of inspiration that includes a love of music, dance, science fiction, and adventure. The medium of photography is her chosen method of exploring creative boundaries and challenging expectations in order to create provocative, vivid, and resonant art.

“Floe”: is one of 10 pieces of a larger body of work – “Ephemerality.” Stasia created this image, and Ephemerality as a way to explore her own femininity while out adventuring in environments that have traditionally been considered the domain of men. Harsh, bleak landscapes call to her in a way that makes her feel vividly alive. There are many images of places like this, usually featuring a man in outdoor gear, staring off into the distance. Stasia’s vision with “Floe” was to prove to herself and others that feminine presence also belongs. She created this piece with her camera on a tripod, and arranged herself on the iceberg remnant that had washed up on the shores of Disko Island in Greenland. Happily, a large iceberg was stationed in the background long enough for her to compose and create an image she loves.

2nd Prize Winner

Diego Orlando Art

Currently resides: Spain

“”Knight Paper/El Caballero de Papel”, Digital Photography, Nikon

Diego Orlando is a passionate photographer known for his distinctive approach to capturing the essence of subjects through compelling imagery. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for light and shadow, Diego specializes in portrait photography that resonates with emotional depth and artistic flair. His work often draws inspiration from classical art techniques, particularly the chiaroscuro style of the Baroque era, reflecting a fusion of traditional aesthetics with modern sensibilities. Diego’s journey in photography began early, driven by a fascination with visual storytelling and a desire to evoke powerful emotions through his photographs. His portfolio showcases a diverse range of subjects, from intimate portraits to captivating landscapes, all united by a timeless quality and meticulous craftsmanship. As a dedicated artist, Diego continually explores new techniques and styles, pushing the boundaries of photographic artistry while remaining true to his distinctive vision. His work has been recognized in various exhibitions and publications, affirming his reputation as a skilled photographer capable of capturing the essence of his subjects in a profound and evocative manner.

“Knight Paper/El Caballero de Papel”: In Diego Orlando Art’s photographic artwork, he presents a portrait of a gentleman employing the chiaroscuro technique reminiscent of Baroque Spanish and European painting. This pictorial photograph aims to capture the essence and personality of the sitter through a nuanced interplay of light and shadow. The richness of color, the subtlety of forms, and the profound emotive force are encapsulated within this image. It is a homage to the timeless artistry of Baroque masters, translating their mastery into the medium of photography. Through meticulous composition and a deep understanding of classical aesthetics, he invites viewers and critics alike to delve into the narrative woven by light and darkness, and to discover the enduring allure of a bygone era.

1st Prize Winner

Mothmeister

Currently reside: Belgium

“Payback Time, Bloody Berlin Butcher”, Digital Photography, Canon EOS R5

Mothmeister is the nonstop morphing alter ego of two artistic soulmates based in Belgium, home of surrealism. Through their eerie, imaginary post-mortem fairy tales they portray a series of masked, grotesque characters – often accompanied by stuffed animals and a variety of curiosa from their private collection. Similar to the Victorian era when dead dear loved ones were photographed as a memento mori for the relatives, Mothmeister immortalizes animals in a dark and dystopian fairytale world.

“Payback Time, Bloody Berlin Butcher“: Art doesn’t need explanation. It just happens. And evokes whatever it evokes.