/ 2022 / /

Aftermath Hong Kong Protests

‘Aftermath Hong Kong Protests’ is about the consequences of the protests in Hong Kong at the end of 2019. By then, clashes between police and protesters had become more frequent and increasingly violent. In an effort to bring parts of the city to a halt, protesters took to forming makeshift roadblocks. The umbrella has been used to shield against the pepper spray and tear gas of the police, thus has become a political symbol of resistance. The clashes have left an open wound on the daily lives of Hong Kong’s citizens.

Dutch photographer Benny van der Plank was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and started his career in urban planning. He also studied at the Photo Academy in Amsterdam. His work has been exhibited at the Rotterdam Photo festival and the London Photo Show, among several other exhibitions worldwide. He has won several awards and honors, including GUP New Talent 2022 and FRESH EYES European Talent 2021. He is winner of the Berlin Photo Week 'Future' Challenge 2021, and the 'State of the World 2022' prize of The Prix de la Photographie Paris with the series 'Aftermath Hong Kong Protests'. 

Awards 2026 Honorable Mention FotoSlovo Awards
2026 Finalist Dublin Street Photography Festival
2022 Winner 'State of the World' Prix de la Photographie Paris
2022 Honorable Mention Budapest International Foto Awards
2022 Finalist Sarajevo Photography Award
2022 GUP New Talent
2021 FRESH EYES European Talent
2021 Winner 'Future' Challenge SAP x Berlin Photo Week