Belmond Launches Photographic Residency at Paris Photo, Honoring Emerging Artist Cecy Young

Published on November 9, 2024

Belmond is thrilled to unveil Cecy Young as the inaugural recipient of the Belmond Photographic Residency, announced during Paris Photo. This groundbreaking initiative underscores Belmond’s dedication to advancing contemporary travel photography and supporting emerging and underrepresented photographers. Cecy’s exclusive new body of work will join the celebrated Belmond Legends campaign, which has featured original commissions from renowned artists like Coco Capitán, Jack Davison, François Halard, Rosie Marks, and Chris Rhodes. Additionally, her work will be published as a photobook in collaboration with RVB and displayed in an upcoming exhibition.

A Distinguished Selection Process

Belmond’s esteemed jury, representing the global photography and arts scene, selected Cecy from over 800 applicants worldwide. The selection process involved narrowing the field to an 18-artist shortlist from 10 countries. This panel included respected figures such as Simon Baker (Director of Maison Européenne de la Photographie), Carla Sozzani (Gallerist and Founder of Fondazione Sozzani), photographer Coco Capitán, writer and curator Antwaun Sargent, writer and curator Ekow Eshun, Matthieu Charon (Co-Founder of RVB Books), and Arnaud Champenois (Belmond’s Senior Vice President of Global Brand).

Honoring a Unique Vision: Cecy Young

Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Cecy Young discovered her passion for photography in art school and later pursued formal training at the Spéos Paris Photographic Institute. Her journey took her from the commercial beauty industry to more personal creative explorations, influenced by a deep-rooted fascination with Japan. Fluent in Japanese language and culture, Cecy’s work is a tapestry of her multicultural experiences, interweaving influences she’s gathered throughout her travels.

Quote from Cecy Young: “I’m truly honoured and grateful to have been chosen for this residency. This experience will allow me to explore new creative depths and connect with a community that celebrates creativity.”

About her winning portfolio on. Japanese town of Atami: “I have been visiting Japan almost yearly since 2014, and during my visits I was struck by scenes that seemed frozen in time. Much of the architecture hails from the economic boom between the ’60s and ‘80s. After the crash in the early ’90s, many areas outside the urban centres were left behind, creating a sense of a nostalgia and better times. During a visit to Atami and other small cities in the Shizuoka Peninsula, I took an interest in the architecture particularly of the hotels that retain their old glamour. These areas are close to Tokyo and there was an expectation for these cities in becoming Tokyo’s vacation spot. Atami, like many small Japanese cities, is changing, but the neo-futuristic architecture remains as a testament to an era of flourishing for geishas, big groups of salary men on company retreats and family summer getaways. As more people flock to big cities and Japan grapples with a low birth rate, the future of its small cities and villages is uncertain. While working in this project I felt I entered a fragile Showa bubble where time stopped. My work is a documentation that seeks to treasure this sense of time standing still, the lingering echoes of a bygone era while contemplating an uncertain future.”

Cecy Young has been awarded an all-inclusive residency at a prestigious Belmond property, accompanied by a print publication partnership with RVB Books and an international photography showcase. She will also receive mentorship from Belmond’s network of photography experts and a financial prize of €15,000. Her work will contribute a fresh, contemporary perspective to the Belmond Legends campaign, capturing the essence of a Belmond destination through her unique artistic vision.

A Global Platform for Rising Photographic Talent

Belmond received over 800 applications from talented photographers around the world, from which 18 finalists representing 10 countries were selected for the final judging weekend. This live judging took place from October 19-21 at Castello di Casole, a Belmond Hotel in Tuscany, where the winner and three additional artists received special commendations.

Quote from juror Antwaun Sargent (writer and curator): “The Belmond Photo Residency offers an emerging voice an engaging environment to create something new in a place that offers endless possibilities to push the boundaries of their art. The site of the residency in Tuscany will allow for the artist to express their concerns and conceptual conceit in new and daring ways. The mix of portfolios this year offered fresh takes on the idea of travel photography. The inaugural winner of the residency, Cecy Young, has a daring curiosity in her pictures that are expressed through a range of emotion that highlight the places and people she photographs. Ana’s photographs bring a newness to concepts of beauty, luxury and place.”

“As Seen By” – Expanding Belmond’s Collectible Art Book Series

In celebration of the first Belmond Photographic Residency winner, Belmond is excited to introduce two new limited-edition books in its esteemed “As Seen By” collection. Launched during Paris Photo 2024, these latest additions include Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire by Thomas Rousset and Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia by Stefanie Moshammer. With these additions, the collection now features five unique artistic commissions, joining works by Coco Capitán, Rosie Marks, and Letizia Le Fur, each offering a captivating lens on Belmond’s iconic locations.

The “As Seen By” collection will be on display at the RVB stand at Paris Photo in the Grand Palais. Attendees can also join Thomas Rousset and Stefanie Moshammer for book signings on Friday, November 8th at 6 PM at the Grand Palais and on Saturday, November 9th at Dover Street Market Paris. Starting October 30, the books will be available worldwide through RVB Books’ premium network of bookstores, galleries, and online for €35, £32, and $38.

With each edition, Belmond continues to enrich its annual publishing calendar, presenting unique interpretations of Belmond destinations through the eyes of talented photographers.

Artist Bios

Thomas Rousset
A graduate of ECAL in Lausanne, Thomas Rousset works between Lausanne and Paris. His photography merges reality and fiction, exploring the ritualistic elements of daily life through staged compositions. His work has appeared in publications like Alla Carta, Buffalo Zine, Harper’s Bazaar France, Vogue Italia, and W Magazine. Rousset has published three books, with his latest, Prabérians, released by Loose-Joints.

Stefanie Moshammer
Vienna-born Stefanie Moshammer (b. 1988) is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work spans photography, moving images, text, and installations. With six books to her name and numerous accolades, Moshammer’s work is recognized worldwide and has been exhibited across Europe, the US, and Asia.