Winner of the Wales Smithsonian Cymru Photography Competition Announced

Welsh Assembly Government, New York, July 16, 2009: The winner of the Wales Smithsonian Cymru photography competition is Christopher Levy of Washington D.C. His winning photograph is entitled ‘Caitlin Jenkins at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival’ and it portrays the hands of the Welsh potter Caitlin Jenkins as she works at her wheel on the National Mall during the recent festival in Washington. The competition was judged by the celebrity photographer Cambridge Jones who hails from Wales. On choosing the winner Cambridge Jones said: ‘This photograph stands out as it creates its own narrative within the frame, almost turning the potter’s hand into individual characters. It frames the extended and taut finger to give us a feeling as well as the detail. The photograph also makes very nice use of light.’ Christopher’s prize will be a photography session with Cambridge Jones who has photographed many famous people including the Queen of England, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Billy Bob Thornton and P Diddy. Cambridge will take the portrait of a person chosen by Christopher who will receive a signed framed copy of the photograph. Christopher Levy is 49 and works for the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. He said, ‘I am delighted to have won the competition. I’m very excited about my session with Cambridge Jones and I’m looking forward to learning from such a renowned photographer. Two of my passions are travelling and photography. My favourite places are the UK and Australia and I've travelled all over the UK, including two visits to Wales. After attending the Smithsonian Folklife Festival I've decided to return to Wales next year.’ The Jenkins family have been making pots in Ewenny, Wales, since 1610. Thirty-three year old Caitlin Jenkins is a ninth-generation potter, trained at Ewenny Pottery by her father Alun Jenkins. She studied at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff and the Royal College of Art in London. Now she works with her father at the pottery, continuing the tradition of making hand-thrown earthenware ceramics for use in the home. Further information on Cambridge Jones: www.cambridgejones.com