The World’s Oldest Photography Exhibition Returns to London's Saatchi Gallery

The World’s Oldest Photography Exhibition Returns to London's Saatchi Gallery 167 years of stunning images. Summary The Royal Photographic Society's International Photography Exhibition returns next month for its 167th edition, open at Saatchi Gallery in London from August 7 to September 11 The features 48 international photographers whose work explores themes like environmentalism, culture, identity, conflict, memory, and family American photographer Marcy Palmer and Taiwan-born, London-based photographer Léa Chen will be honored as this year's awardees Almost as long as the history of the camera is that of the beloved photo exhibition. Serving up some of the world’s finest snaps since 1854, the Royal Photography Society’s International Photography Exhibition (IPE), the oldest of its kind, returns to Saatchi Gallery in London next month for its 167th edition. Running from August 7 to September 11, this year’s edition stays true to that legacy, bringing together a 48-piece mix of contemporary voices from across the globe, and tracing how the medium and the culture around it continue to evolve. “The IPE has always reflected the times and this year’s submissions are no exception,” the Society wrote in a recent statement. The upcoming collection focuses on themes such as environmentalism, identity, conflict, memory, community, family, and culture, many of which adopt alternative production processes. This year’s top prize goes to Dallas-based Marcy Palmer for her series Seeds of Strength and Resilience, which delves into the past, present, and future of reproductive rights. The Under 30s Award was presented to London-based Léa Chen for The Stars That Don’t Look Back, an intimate capturing of shared memories between three generations of women in Taiwan. Other standouts to look out for include Attilio Fiumarella’s grid of bathhouse Brummies, Alex Huda’s exploration of Hong Kong Voidpunk, and some verdant architectural splendor by Zed Nelson. “What I find most inspiring about this exhibition is the reminder that, wherever we live and whatever our background, photography helps us communicate ideas, emotions and moments that resonate far beyond ourselves,” says RPS CEO Victoria Humphries. After its run at Saatchi Gallery, IPE167 will make stops at the Taunton Museum and the Royal Geographical Society during fall 2026 and spring 2027. Saatchi Gallery Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY, United Kingdom