Photojournalism nominee

Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century. Buddhism was suppressed by French influences in the 19th and 20th centuries, and by the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s. But the Cambodians worked hard to rebuild the country and its religion following these two eras. Today, it is estimated that over 95 per cent of the population is Buddhist.
Boys traditionally spent part of their lives as monks. Although less common today, this practice is once again widespread. Families consider it a great honor if their sons enter a monastery and live as monks, however briefly. For many, it is also the only opportunity to receive some kind of education.
In the monastery, they learn Buddhist teachings, but also science, math and English.
Women cannot be ordained, but older women, especially widows, can become nuns and work in the temples.
The photographs shown are from a Buddhist temple near Kampot in southern Cambodia.

Steff Gruber (1953) is a Swiss photographer and filmmaker. He worked as a press photographer for Keystone Press and was one of the first filmmakers to explore the docudrama genre. He became internationally known with his documentary LOCATION AFRICA about the filming of COBRA VERDE, the last collaboration between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski. His award-winning films have been shown at various international film festivals.
Based on his interest in documentaries, Gruber began shooting photo stories in various countries, focusing, in particular, on human interest subjects and humanist concerns. Visiting places and people on repeated occasions, many of his photo series were produced over a period of several years.
In 2020 Steff Gruber opened the Lumiere.Gallery for digital photo exhibitions.
Steff Gruber is a member of the Swiss Association of Journalists and Photographers IMPRESSUM.

Exhibitions as photgrapher (selection)

2022 FOTO WIEN, Café Prückel, Vienna
2021 photoSchweiz, group exhibition, Zurich
2021 PORTRAITS – Hellerau Photography Awards, finalits exhibition at the Technische Sammlungen Dresden (expected March 27, 2021)
2020/21 New Talents, group exhibition, PEP – Photographic Exploration Project, Bpart Berlin
2020/21 Cambodian Stills, LUMIERE.GALLERY
2020 The International Street Photography Exhibition, group exhibition, Glasgow Gallery of Photography