Timor Runguranga

• Prize
• Photographer
  David Palazón (born 1972, Barcelona) is a prolific visual artist, designer, researcher, producer, and a documentary photographer and filmmaker. Driven by a curious nature for exploration and characterised by a unique sense of humour, his work is a constant enquiry about the human condition. His most prominent recent work is Timor Runguranga, an epic and rare photobook—made over a period of eight years—portraying the young nation of Timor-Leste. He received a BA(Hons) in Media and Design from the London College of Communication (formerly LCP) before completing his studies at the Royal College of Art with the Eye See photographic exhibition in 2003. David has lived and work in Barcelona, the Netherlands, London, Peru, Ghana, Timor-Leste, Australia, Indonesia and currently lives and works in Colombo (Sri Lanka). He is best known for his award-winning film: director of Boneca de Atauro: Searching for the Lost Love, winner of the Best Asian Short Film Award at the 4th Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival in 2016. Director of Wawata-Topu – Mermaids of Timor-Leste, winner of the Best Foreign Documentary at the American Online Film Awards as well as the Special prize “Chandrika Sharma’ at the 7th edition of the Pêcheurs du Monde International Film Festival in France in 2014. Producer of Uma Lulik (the Sacred House), winner of the 3rd Audience Prize at BIFF 2012 (Brisbane International Film Festival)., Sri Lanka
• Studio
  David Palazon

Eight years in the making, Timor Runguranga is the first contemporary
photography book coming out from the youngest nation in Asia. An epic
photobook, taking you on an unforgettable journey through the wild, wild
east of Timor-Leste. A country of unparalleled beauty, yet unrivalled
contradictions, where old traditions collide with new modern worlds, and the
sacred meets the profane.

David Palazón’s curious nature and unique sense of humour bring us close
into the hearts and lives of the Timorese people, capturing the fleeting,
incidental moments of those he met on his journey through this young
nation. The photobook features 60 carefully selected contributions by Timor-
related leading authors, artists, and photographers, giving further depth to
this outstanding visual exploration of the young nation.

• Awards
  David Palazon studied Media and Design at the LCC before completing his studies at the RCA with the Eye See (Millennium Award) photographic exhibition. He recently received the Best Asian Short Film Award at the 4th Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival in 2016. His film Wawata Topu – Mermaids of Timor-Leste won the Best Foreign Documentary at the AOFA Awards. His most prominent recent work is Timor Runguranga, an epic self-published photobook—made over a period of eight years—portraying the young nation of Timor-Leste.