LONDON.- The Sony World Photography Awards Winners’ Showcase is the flagship exhibition of the World Photography Festival. Showcase theme 'From Chaos into Order' mirrors the process by which we make sense of photographs in the world. All of the World Photography Organisation’s Festival exhibitions run from April 26 through May 22, 2011 at the prestigious Somerset House, London.

The Winners’ Showcase is one of several photography exhibitions coming to the World Photography Festival. Featuring a vast collection of international contemporary photography, spanning genres including documentary, sport, portraiture, landscape, fashion and much more, the Showcase captures a unique view of the world in 2010/11 as recorded through the lens of winning photographers who entered this year’s competition. The Sony World Photography Awards take place on 27 April 2011. The work of the L’Iris d’Or/Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year will be the exhibition centrepiece.

The Sony World Photography Awards Winners’ Showcase is curated by leading photography expert Francis Hodgson, Chair of the Sony World Photography Awards Honorary Judging Committee and independent curator Yasmina Reggad.

Speaking of the showcase theme, curator Francis Hodgson said: “The exhibition mirrors the process by which we make sense of photographs in the world. Editing and sequencing, picking fewer telling photographs from the mass – that is the process by which all photography comes to its audience. In addition, the exhibition mirrors the way judges filtered the stream of Awards entries to arrive first at shortlists then at winners. The competition is open to everyone which is a huge strength and a real benefit to photographers worldwide. But exhibitions, by their nature, give order to things. So in choosing the theme ‘From Chaos into Order’ the curators have made some attempt to reflect these processes . For visitors, the experience of seeing the exhibition presents a movement from the noisy plethora of images through to an orderly conclusion by which they make coherent sense”.

Gwyn Miles, Director of Somerset House comments: Somerset House is delighted to be hosting the first ever London-based World Photography Festival and Exhibitions. We are committed to celebrating and showcasing photography in all its different guises, from established photographers to emerging talent. We’re thrilled to be taking part in this prestigious, international event.‟

‘The Sony World Photography Awards Winners’ Showcase is just one of several exhibitions running at the World Photography Festival:‘

• A top highlight will be a new exhibition of the work of photographer Bruce Davidson, curated by Simon Baker, curator of photography and international art, Tate. As one of America’s most distinguished photographers, Bruce Davidson has been a member of the Magnum agency since 1958. Much of Davidson’s renown is based on his captures of New York City and this exhibition includes some of his most famous works from the East 100th Street and Circus collections. Bruce Davidson will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at the Sony World Photography Awards gala ceremony.

• This year’s Student Focus Award has taken place in partnership with YOUNG TATE and is themed on the critically acclaimed photographic exhibition EXPOSED which debuted at TATE Modern. The Student Focus Award Winners Exhibition will showcase the work of the ten shortlisted universities participating from around the world that have taken part.

• The London Portrait & Documentary Project Exhibition, also curated by Francis Hodgson and Yasmina Reggad, is a culmination of the work by participants in the London Portrait & Documentary Project workshop. This four day workshop, which is part of the World Photography Festival, provides the ultimate experience for aspiring photography-pros. Their exhibited work will include images of the Royal Wedding celebrations which will form the backdrop to the documentary strand of the workshop.

• The Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards Exhibition will show the very best photography and moving image books submitted for the 2011 Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards, the winners of which will be announced at the Sony World Photography Awards gala ceremony.

• Finally, photographs taken by young people on the theme of ‘children’s rights’ will be on display. Following an international campaign, six young photographers from around the world received the opportunity to capture the photographs in Ethiopia. This was part of a special EYE SEE workshop which was organised by UNICEF and the World Photography Organisation and supported by Sony Corporation. EYE SEE is a digital photography project that encourages young people in developing countries to take photographs of social issues in their day-to-day lives.

All of these exhibitions are part of the World Photography Festival’s inspiring and eclectic six day programme of events which will appeal to everyone with a passion for photography from professionals to the photo-loving public alike. The festival takes place at Somerset House 26 April – 1 May and features celebrated photographers such as Tom Stoddardand Bruce Davidson as well as Pulitzer prize winning photographer Liu Hueng Shing and industry leaders such as Elisabeth Biondi (Visuals Editor, New Yorker) and Mike Trow (Photo Editor, British Vogue) – all of whom will gather at the festival to host exhibitions, talks, screenings, portfolio reviews, workshops and more.