Masood Sarwer is an international multi award-winning documentary photographer and visual storyteller based in India.
In 2023, he was honoured as one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" in the category of "The Arts" for his in-depth visual investigation into climate change, making him the only Asian photographer to be in the class of 2023. Masood's accolade of making it to the Forbes is a testament to his visual storytelling for his unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing issues of climate change and environmental sustainability.
His artistic practice centres around the tensions surrounding identity, gender, human rights, and climate emergency. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally in prestigious exhibitions across the UK, New York, Germany, Italy, and India.
In 2023, Masood was granted an Artist Residency in the United Kingdom by the FORMAT International Photography Festival and Artcore Gallery, where he exhibited his work too.
In 2022, He won the Global Prize “Photography 4 Humanity” for climate change and his work was exhibited in the United Nations General Assembly gallery in New York and in “Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit” at the University of Colorado Boulder, US. He was also nominated for the 6 x 6 global talent award (Asia) - World Press Photo.
He practices long-term, in-depth projects and spends most of his time documenting largely issues revolving around ecology to social structures and the contemporary issues in the Murshidabad district region where he grew up and is intimately familiar with.
He incorporates archival research, collaborations, and innovative mapping techniques to craft counter-archives that challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding environmental issues, revealing the multifaceted layers of our society's relationship with the landscape.
His current long-term project, 'Unintended Consequences'' - a visual investigation into climate change in the Farakka Barrage was granted the Artist Assist Grantee 2023 by the Nazar Foundation. Where he is examining the definition of “slow violence” birthed by the Barrage and has been documenting the human relationship with the environment employing the power of metaphor and documentary as visual strategies, to bridge the gap between personal stories and the global challenges.
In 2020, he got selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop XXXIII where he won “The Jim Dietz Scholarship” and he was two times finalists at the Alexia Foundation Grant. He also has received a scholarship from VII Academy. In 2018, he won the scholarship to attend Foundry Photojournalism Workshop and was awarded the Foundry Golden Scarf. He is a faculty member of the Grayscale - Academy of Photography and Creative Vision.
His work has been published in the pages of prestigious magazines such as Forbes, National Geographic Traveller Magazine, and The Hindu. With a unique ability to capture the essence of diverse cultures and human rights issues, Masood's contributions have also been featured in CU Boulder Today, United Nations Human Rights New York, and FORMAT, showcasing his commitment to storytelling and advocacy.
His artistry extends beyond the written word, as evidenced by his photography showcased in Edge of Humanity, VII Academy, and Galería Quarentena, making him a multifaceted talent in the world of media and art.
In parallel to his personal documentary works, Sarwer has collaborated with numerous NGOs, media, and press organizations to develop projects that delve into topics that surround the subjects of climate change.
Masood is available for assignments + commissions globally.
Email: masood.sarwer@gmail.com | Contact: +91-9717750548
Languages
English, Hindi, and Bengali.
AWARDS AND CONTESTS
2023: Recipient of Forbes - Forbes 30 Under 30, Asia – The Arts.
2023: Exhibition - FORMAT International Photography Festival, England, United Kingdom.
2023: Received Holi Hai! Artist Residency from Artcore and FORMAT International Photography Festival in United Kingdom.
2023: Received Grant from the “Nazar Foundation” for the project – Unintended Consequences.
2023: Recipient of Vital Impacts Environmental Photography mentorship program.
2022: Grand Prize Winner “Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize”, United States.
2022: Exhibition in United Nations General Assembly gallery in New York City
“Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize”.
2022: Exhibition in Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit at the University of Colorado Boulder, US.
2022: Selected for “The Hamburg Portfolio Review”, Germany.
2022: Open air exhibition of “Burning Both Ends”, Germany.
2022: Workshop ‘Revisiting Perspectives and Narratives’ with Mathieu Asselin, SACAC, Delhi, India.
2021: Got Scholarship “Inner Circle” 3 months, Course by Sebastian Liste.
2020: Selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop XXXIII.
2020: Awarded “The Jim Dietz Scholarship” from Eddie Adams Workshop XXXIII.
2020: Nominee - 6x6 Global Talent Award (Asia), World Press Photo.
2020: Finalists at the Student “Alexia Foundation Grant”.
2020: Got Scholarship to attend Photojournalism and Documentary Photography: A 12-week Seminar with Christopher Morris for South > Southeast Asian Participants from VII Academy.
2020: Got Scholarship to attend - Crafting a compelling visual narrative workshop – Indian Photo Festival, with Dominique Hildebrand, Photo Editor, National Geographic.
2019: Shortlisted for the Student “Alexia Foundation Grant”.
2019: Shortlisted for the “Indian Photography Festival” Photography Grant.
2018: Got Scholarship to attend Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, Kolkata, India.
2018: Awarded Foundry Golden Scarf award, Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, India.
2018: Shortlisted for the Toto-Tasveer Awards for Photography.
2017: Winner of Gionee Education Contest, Creative Image Magazine by Raghu Rai.
2016: Three times winner, Daily Shot Photo Contest, Nat Geo Traveller Magazine, India.
PUBLICATIONS
2023: Forbes Magazine - Forbes 30 Under 30, Asia.
2023: FORMAT International Photography Festival, England, United Kingdom.
2022: “Sound of Azaan” work got published at News9. A Pan-India compilation of azaans that shows call to prayer is part of our soundscape.
2020: “Tree” work got published at FirstPost. A visual record of time during pandemic.
2020: “Burning Both Ends” published in the Edge of Humanity Magazine.
2018: “Burning Both Ends” published in The Hindu, Indian daily newspaper.
Publications | Forbes, CU Boulder Today, United Nations Human Rights New York, Forbes India, News9Live, Indian daily newspaper - The Hindu, National Geographic Traveller Magazine India, VII Academy, FirstPost, FORMAT, Edge of Humanity, Creative Image Magazine, Vasa Project, Galería Quarentena, Photography 4 Humanity and Uttarbanga Sambad |
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023: Exhibition - FORMAT International Photography Festival, England, United Kingdom.
2022: Exhibition in United Nations General Assembly gallery in New York City
“Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize”.
2022: Exhibition in Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit at the University of Colorado Boulder, US.
2022: Open air exhibition of “Burning Both Ends”, Germany.
2022: “Burning Both Ends” exhibited at Galería Quarentena, curated by Sandeep Biswas.
2020: Long-term project “Burning Both Ends” was projected live on the historic walls of Porta San Gennaro, Naples, Italy during COVID-19.
2019: “Burning Both Ends” exhibited online at VASA Front Page Project.
2016: “Intimacy” exhibited at Matheran Green festival, Mumbai, Preview Collective, India.
WORKSHOP ATTENDED
2023: Recipient of Vital Impacts Environmental Photography mentorship program.
2022: Workshop ‘Revisiting Perspectives and Narratives’ with Mathieu Asselin, SACAC, Delhi, India.
2021: Got Scholarship “Inner Circle” 3 months, Course by Sebastian Liste.
2020: Selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop XXXIII.
2020: Awarded “The Jim Dietz Scholarship” from Eddie Adams Workshop XXXIII.
2020: Got Scholarship to attend Photojournalism and Documentary Photography: A 12-week Seminar with Christopher Morris for South > Southeast Asian Participants from VII Academy.
2020: Got Scholarship to attend - Crafting a compelling visual narrative workshop – Indian Photo Festival, with Dominique Hildebrand, Photo Editor, National Geographic.
2018: Got Scholarship to attend Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, Kolkata, India.
2014: “The Art of Editing” workshop by Ashima Narain, photo editor for National Geographic Traveller India magazine.
2014: “Working with Studio Lights” by Dhruv Malhar.
2013: “The Art of the Darkroom” Workshop by Amitabha Bhattacharya.
BOOK
2020: Photographed for the book “Jal Jungle Jameen” by Dr. Alka Pande, on the Living Traditions of Chhattisgarh.
ASSISTED
2018-2020: Photographic Assistant for National Geographic assignment - Assisted photographer Smita Sharma for National Geographic assignment over one year on the story of trafficking girls into sexual slavery “Stolen Lives”. (http://smitasharma.com)
EDUCATION
2014: One-year Diploma in photography from APEX - Academy for Photographic Excellence, New Delhi, India.