Ka-Man Tse has been chosen as the winner of the 2018 Aperture Portfolio Prize for her photography series “Narrow Distances.” In addition to receiving $3,000 and the opportunity to exhibit her work in New York, she will also have her photography published in Aperture magazine. Tse’s series explores, as Aperture said, “the intersection of Asian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ communities.” The runners-up for the prize include Fabiola Cedillo, Philip Cheung, Dylan Hausthor and Paul Guilmoth, and Eduardo L. Rivera.

The international competition, which began in 2008, aims “to identify trends in contemporary photography and highlight artists whose work deserves greater recognition.” Aperture recognized in Tse’s submission the “oblique narrative” that each of her images suggest. “In the contested and contingent spaces in the home, in the public realm, occupying a space and a conversation is an act,” Tse wrote in her project statement. “Possibilities start with small gestures, clear or coded . . . They are made out of a need to occupy the landscape, space, and frame.” 

Tse was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and currently lives and works in New York City. She holds a BA from Bard College and an MFA in Photography from Yale University, where she also teaches. Previous winners of the prize include Natalie Krick, Eli Durst, Drew Nikonowicz, Amy Elkins, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Alexander Gronsky, Sarah Palmer, Louie Palu, and Bryan Schutmaat.