Ej Major @Matt Roberts Arts, London

All images © Ej Major

A buzz surrounds Ej Major's one man show that opens on Thursday at Matt Roberts Arts, winner of the 2011 Salon Photo Prize (sponsored by 1000 Words). Of the work on display, most notable is her clever faux biography entitled Marie Claire RIP.

"These series of 12 images," Major explains, "is based on an article published in Marie Claire in 2002, which featured police mug-shots of a [heroin addict] taken over a fourteen year period. The article revealed that not long after the last picture was taken the woman was found dead."

She adds, "Marie Claire RIP is a re-staging of these images using myself as subject. I intended the piece to be non-specific in terms of the nature of the character’s demise. There is no direct reference to heroin addiction. The series may be read in terms of each person’s story or experience who views it. While the piece challenges the veracity of the photographic portrait it also finds an authenticity in a notion of self-portraiture that involves acting. It is me and it isn’t her and yet it is her and it isn’t me at the same time."

This exhibition runs from Friday 2 September to Saturday 24 September. Matt Roberts Arts, Unit 1, 25 Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG.

Salon Photo Prize-Call for Applications

We are delighted to share the following information with you on The Salon Photo Prize 2011, the inaugural photography exhibition produced by Matt Roberts Arts. It is expected that up to 100 photographers will be exhibited at its gallery space on Vyner Street,East London with one exhibitor winning the selectors' prize supported by 1000 Words Photography Magazine which will consist of £1000 and a solo exhibition in 2012.

This year's selection panel consists of:

Simon Baker, Curator of Photography, Tate
Stefanie Braun, Curator, The Photographers' Gallery
Tim Clark, Editor-in-chief, 1000 Words Photography Magazine
Charlotte Cotton, Creative Director, National Media Museum

The first Salon Photo Prize will take place from 4 February - 26 February 2011. The deadline for applications is: 5pm, Saturday 4 December, 2010.

All Salon Art Prize applicants must be registered as an Associate Members of Matt Roberts Arts. Annual membership costs £8 (GBP) for UK-based artists and £10 (GBP) for those based outside of the UK. As Matt Roberts Arts not-for-profit all membership contributions support its ongoing professional development services.

Did we mention that other benefits of becoming a member include: exclusive access to a members' only website directory; online lectures; an international gallery map; a prizes and awards calender PLUS weekly portfolio sessions and monthly group discussions that are held at Matt Roberts Arts gallery space? Have a look for yourself here. If you are a serious, career-orientated photographer then you really shouldn't pass on this unique opportunity.

You can pay using Paypal by making a payment to info(at)mattroberts(dot)org(dot)uk

Alternatively you can send a cheque, postal order or bankers draft (made out to Matt Roberts Arts) to the gallery address: Unit 1, 25 Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG

For further information please visit www.salonartprize.com/spp_about.html or email salonphotoprize(at)mattroberts(dot)org(dot)uk