Rinko Kawauchi, considered one of the most important Japanese photographers working today, has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize, as part of the Sony World Photography Awards 2023.
The award recognises one person or a group of people every year who have made a significant impact on the world of photography.
Kawauchi is its 16th recipient, joining the ranks with the likes of Martin Parr (2017), Candida Hofer (2018), Nadav Kander (2019), Gerhard Steidl (2020), Graciela Iturbide (2021) and Edward Burtynsky (2022).
Kawauchi's works are ephemeral as she captures snippets of everyday life with a unique luminosity and sense of poetry. She's influenced by the Japanese religion of Shinto in which adherents believe everything has a spirit or energy called "kami". This is captured through Kawauchi's lens via shimmering lights reflected in a mirror or sunbeams trickling through a forest canopy, for example.
Her photography has been compared to haikus, the short-form poetry style that originated in Japan, as it reflects on life's bigger picture in short bursts and, in Kawauchi's case, through spare, visual language that lends a single, seemingly small moment weight.
More than 20 of the photographer's works will be shown at the Sony World Photography Awards 2023 exhibition, on display at Somerset House in London from April 14 to May 1.
The selection of images spans Kawauchi's 20-year career and highlights various milestones and themes across some of her most notable series, including Illuminance (2011), AILA (2004), Utatane (2001) and Ametsuchi (2013), a series that showcases a different technique and style from the artist as she shifts her focus from the micro to the macro.
"This award is a recognition of my work and will encourage me in my future activities," Kawauchi said.
"The exhibition brings a body of work that not only characterises my practice, but also presents an ambitious series created with a different method and approach. Through my photography, I seek to create works of art that act as a signpost for me to examine more closely the experiences I am living and what I am looking at."
Winners in the Student, Open and Professional competitions of next year's Sony World Photography Awards will be announced on April 13.
More information is available at www.worldphoto.org
Striking photo of a flamingo taking off from a UAE mangrove wins international award — in pictures
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Winner, Mangroves & Wildlife, Jayakumar MN, UAE. Photo: Jayakumar MN / Mangrove Photography Awards -

This year's overall winner of the Mangrove Photography Awards is Tanya Houppermans, for her photo shot in Cuba. Photo: Tanya Houppermans / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Humans, Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, Bangladesh, Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Landscape, Loic Dupuis, Indonesia. Photo: Loic Dupuis / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Underwater, Martin Broen, Mexico. Photo: Martin Broen / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Conservation, Kei Miyamoto, Indonesia. Photo: Kei Miyamoto / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Fakhrizal Setiawan, Indonesia. Photo: Fakhrizal Setiawan / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Winner, Mangroves & Stories, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Mangroves & Humans, Alex Cao, Vietnam. Photo: Alex Cao / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Rajesh Dhar, India. Photo: Rajesh Dhar / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Hoang The Nhiem, Vietnam. Photo: Hoang The Nhiem / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Yusuf Bin Madi, Malaysia. Photo: Yusuf Bin Madi / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Rodrigo Silva Campanario, Brazil. Photo: Rodrigo Silva Campanario / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Janos Leo G. Andanar, Philippines. Photo: Janos Leo G. Andanar / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Humans, Sankhadeep Banerjee, India. Photo: Sankhadeep Banerjee / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Mangroves & Landscape, Melodi Roberts, USA. Photo: Melodi Roberts / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Amar Habeeb, UAE. Photo: Amar Habeeb / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Jahid Apu, Bangladesh. Photo: Jahid Apu / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Humberto Bahena Basave, Mexico. Photo: Humberto Bahena Basave / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Shyjith Kannur, UAE. Photo: Shyjith Kannur / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Mohamed Muha, Maldives. Photo: Mohamed Muha / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Landscape, Alex Cao, Vietnam. Photo: Alex Cao / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Mangroves & Wildlife, Priscila Forone, Brazil. Photo: Priscila Forone / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar, Mexico. Photo: Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Mark Ian Cook, USA. Photo: Mark Ian Cook / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Jennifer Goddard, Cayman Islands. Photo: Jennifer Goddard / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Emanuele Biggi, Malaysia. Photo: Emanuele Biggi / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Wildlife, Christophe Mason-Parker, Seychelles. Photo: Christophe Mason-Parker / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Mangroves & Underwater, Jillian E Morris, Bahamas. Photo: Jillian E Morris / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Underwater, Alvaro Herrero Lopez-Bletran, Mexico. Photo: Alvaro Herrero Lopez-Bletran / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Underwater, Marelo Johan Ogata, Indonesia. Photo: Marelo Johan Ogata / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Underwater, Joe Daniels,Mauritius. Photo: Joe Daniels / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Underwater, Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles. Photo: Lorenzo Mittiga / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Underwater, Hamid Rad, Indonesia. Photo: Hamid Rad / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Mangroves & Conservation, Srikanth Mannepuri, India. Photo: Srikanth Mannepuri / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Conservation, Miguel Diaz Perez, Mexico. Photo: Miguel Diaz Perez / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Conservation, Meharab Hossain, Bangladesh. Photo: Meharab Hossain / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Conservation, Enrico Marone, Brazil. Photo: Enrico Marone / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Highly Commended, Mangroves & Conservation, Steven Paton, Panama. Photo: Steven Paton / Mangrove Photography Awards -

Runner Up, Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Katta Devi Sri Kalyan, India. Photo: Katta Devi Sri Kalyan / Mangrove Photography Awards
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Bio
Born in Dubai in 1994
Her father is a retired Emirati police officer and her mother is originally from Kuwait
She Graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2015 and is currently working on her Masters in Communication from the University of Sharjah.
Her favourite film is Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro
While you're here
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
While you're here
Mina Al-Oraibi: Beirut's suffering is a direct result of a failed political system
Michael Young: From one crisis to the next, where is Lebanon headed?
Joyce Karam: US delegation to push for independent government
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
While you're here
Con Coughlin: Grandstanding in Turkey leads to terrorism in France
Con Coughlin: The terror threat in Europe remains as potent as ever
Sholto Byrnes: After Charlie Hebdo, is religion dividing the world?
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Imperial%20Island%3A%20A%20History%20of%20Empire%20in%20Modern%20Britain
Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
If you go
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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While you're here
Justin Thomas: Injustice does not need to be set in stone
Sholto Byrnes: When did we stop being shocked by the far right?
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE






