Mohamed Bourouissa awarded Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize for socially engaged work

Mohamed Bourouissa, a French-Algerian artist, has been awarded the £30,000 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. His acclaimed series, Shoplifters (2014–15), showcases mugshots from a Brooklyn convenience store, predominantly featuring Black or Hispanic individuals caught attempting theft. Initially, Bourouissa grappled with the ethics of capturing these images but ultimately recognized the violence inherent in the original photographs. Another significant project, Temps Mort (2009), involved directing a friend in a French prison via SMS to capture images using a hidden cameraphone. His mid-career retrospective at an old Monoprix supermarket in Arles, part of Rencontres d’Arles, led to his nomination. Bourouissa is renowned for Périphérique (2005–8), which portrays life in Paris suburbs among working-class and African immigrant communities. The jury included notable figures such as Martin Barnes and Melanie Manchot. Other nominees included Anton Kusters, Mark Neville, and Clare Strand. The shortlist is on display at the Photographers’ Gallery in London until 20 September, where Bourouissa expressed his aim to weave his cultural background into art history.