The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) has announced the exhibiting photographers for the 167th edition of the Royal Photographic Society’s
International Photography Exhibition (IPE), the world’s longest-running photography exhibition. Renowned for showcasing the diversity of contemporary photography from around the world, the selected photographs will be on display at London’s Saatchi Gallery from 7th August to 11th September 2026.
The exhibition celebrates the global community that creates, connects and inspires through photography. More than 5200 photographers, both amateur and professional, and from diverse ages and backgrounds, submitted work for consideration in the 167th IPE open call. 113 prints from 48 photographers were selected by a guest panel for inclusion in the exhibition.
The selection panel of experts consisted of Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora is a multi-disciplinary artist with a socially engaged practice; Lydia Goldblatt a British photographic artist based in London and previous recipient of the IPE 166 award; Max Gorbatskyi curator at Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool, UK and
co-founder of Ukrainian.Photographies; Irene Lombardo, Senior Cultural Manager for EMEA & Asia at Magnum Photos and photography consultant and historian, Dr Michael Pritchard.
Key themes
The IPE has always reflected the times and this year’s submissions are no exception with many photographers focussing on themes that include environmental issues; identity; conflict, memory, community; family; and culture, as well as using alternative processes to create the work, thus
showing how contemporary photographers engage with and capture aspects of the world that are not only visually compelling but also socially and culturally significant.
Billy-Jay Stoneman, RPS Curator & Head of Exhibitions, says, “The IPE 167 is full of powerful images and themes that spark important conversations and invite reflection on the world we live in today. The wide range of photographic processes featured in this edition celebrates the creativity and passion of the artists, encouraging audiences to immerse themselves in the artwork, stories and discover the 48 featured artists.”
The RPS International Photography Exhibition 167 exhibition is a reminder that, as Victoria Humphries, CEO of the RPS comments, “Photography has a unique ability to bring people together. Wherever we live and whatever our background, photography helps us communicate ideas, emotions and moments that resonate far beyond ourselves.”
International Photography Exhibition 167 award recipients
Marcy Palmer, and Léa Chen have both been announced as the two photographers receiving honours.
Marcy Palmer received the IPE Award for her series Seeds of Strength and Resilience, which explores the history and future of reproductive rights, asking: how have recent restrictions affected women’s autonomy, and what will the future hold?
On receiving the IPE award Marcy said: “My heart leapt and my eyes filled with tears upon reading my acceptance to the exhibition and receiving the IPE 167 Award. I am deeply honored and thrilled, thank you.”
The Under 30s Award was presented to Léa Chen for The Stars That Don’t Look Back, which documents the intimate and private memories shared by three generations of women living in Taiwan. On receiving the Under 30s IPE Award Léa said: “I feel deeply grateful to receive this award. The RPS’s supportive and inspiring community has helped my work reach and be appreciated by a wider audience, which is more than I could have dreamed of. I am truly excited to see where this award will lead me, and how it will continue to fuel my creative journey.”
The complete list of IPE167 exhibitors, images, events and educational programme, and further information about the touring exhibition is available here.
IPE 167th exhibition
Saatchi Gallery
- 7th August – 11th September 2026
- Free entry
Taunton Museum
- 24 October 2026 – 9 January 2027
Royal Geographical Society
- 5 – 28 April 2027
theprintspace
- One-night-only showcase Thursday 20th August 2026, coinciding with World Photography Week.
- 7-10pm
- Followed by two daytime talks on Friday 21st August about the many options available for printing works.
More reading:
- I can’t wait to see this major American street photography exhibition featuring the biggest names of the 20th century
- This huge exhibition of Japanese women photographers features over 200 images – it’s a must-see this summer
- These two street photographers have a combined 600K following – look at these incredible photos and you’ll see why
Follow AP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Irys.
