Kurdish photographer Sherko Mam Agha won four major awards at the prestigious International Photography Awards on Saturday. Consequently, the accomplished visual artist gained international recognition by receiving a bronze medal and three honorable mentions.
Reza Abbasi, head of the cultural department in Bukan, confirmed the artist’s success on August 29. Furthermore, the United States hosted the global competition, which featured thousands of professional entries from photographers worldwide.
Mam Agha submitted 20 selected photographs to the international panel for evaluation across multiple categories. More than 14,000 images from 139 countries competed for top honors during the judging process.
Six of his photographs reached the final stage of the rigorous competition. Judges subsequently awarded honorable mentions to three works in the Fine Art Portraiture, Children, and Lifestyle categories.
His bronze medal-winning photograph captured a traditional thousand-daf ceremony in Palangan village, located in Sanandaj Province. Therefore, the striking cultural image secured third place globally in the Events, Traditions, and Cultures category.
Mam Agha said several artists from the region participated in the international competition this year. However, his achievements represented the highest honors earned by a Kurdish participant during the event.
The photographer has an extensive record of international recognition through participation in global exhibitions. For instance, he has won gold and silver medals in competitions in Turkey, France, and Tajikistan in recent years.
Industry analysts often describe the International Photography Awards as the “Oscars of visual art.” Looking ahead, Mam Agha plans to continue showcasing regional traditions to international audiences through future photography exhibitions.