Joel Quayson, a student at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, has won the 2025 Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents at the Rencontres d’Arles photo festival. His short film "How Do You Feel?" explores the tension between his expressive queer identity and the expectations of his family and culture, showing him dressing and undressing while a narrator repeatedly asks the title question. The jury, including Dior Makeup creative director Peter Philips, Luma Arles founder Maja Hoffmann, and photographer Yuriko Takagi, praised the work for its raw vulnerability and emotional depth.
The award matters because it highlights the growing recognition of emerging artists who use photography and film to address personal and cultural conflicts around identity, sexuality, and belonging. Quayson's win at a major international festival like Rencontres d’Arles, supported by a luxury brand like Dior, signals the art world's continued investment in young talent tackling intimate, socially relevant themes. It also underscores the role of mentorship and institutional support in amplifying voices that challenge traditional norms.