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The Independent Jury of the Prix Pictet is delighted to announce the 2008 Shortlist. From an exceptional field of over 200 photographers from 43 countries, the judges have shortlisted 18 photographers who have produced works that are of outstanding artistic merit and communicate messages of urgent global significance.

The shortlisted artists are:

Benoit Aquin
Edward Burtynksky
Jesus Abad Colorado
Thomas Joshua Cooper
Sebastian Copeland
Christian Cravo
Lynn Davis
Reza Deghati
Susan Derges
Malcolm Hutcheson
Chris Jordan
Carl De Keyzer
David Maisel
Mary Mattingly
Robert Polidori
Roman Signer
Jules Spinatsch
Munem Wasif

Each of the shortlisted photographers will now be invited to show their work at the Palais de Tokyo at the end of October. As well as the works shortlisted for the award, the judges have identified a series of powerful images that they wish to bring to public attention. These will also be shown at the Palais de Tokyo. The winner of the first Prix Pictet will be announced on 30 October and will receive CHF100,000 (£50,000). At the same time one of the shortlisted artists will be offered a commission worth CHF40,000 (£20,000) to record a water-related project supported by Pictet & Cie.

The exhibition at Palais de Tokyo will run until 8 November.

Starting in Dubai in November an exhibition of work by artists shortlisted for Prix Pictet 2008 will tour the world. The aim of the tour is to use the power of photography to attract attention to, and stimulate debate about, the most pressing environmental issues of our time.