Asghar Khamseh Wins Sony World Photography Awards 2016 with 'Fire of Hatred' Series

Iranian photographer Asghar Khamseh was named Photographer of the Year at the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards, winning the Iris d'Or for his series 'Fire of Hatred.' The series depicts victims of acid attacks, predominantly women and children, who have been disfigured as a form of punishment for refusing marriage proposals, seeking divorce, or expressing dissent. Khamseh's portraits serve as a denunciation of both the physical violence and the social stigma that survivors face. By showing their faces and scars without sensationalism, the subjects assert their identity and presence, challenging the perpetrators' attempt to erase them from society. The work creates a visual dialogue between the victims and a global audience, countering the isolation and oblivion intended by the attackers.