Call for entries: what makes a good selfie?

Like them or loathe them, selfies are part of the contemporary photographic landscape and now the National Portrait Gallery is getting in on the act.

Photographers have until 5 January to submit their images for a chance to be included in The Curated Ego: What Makes a Good Selfie? at the central London gallery.

A panel of judges will choose two photographers to show and discuss their images made in response to the selfie at the panel discussion event, which takes place on 16 January. The event has been organised by London-based creative space, Studiostrike, in association with the gallery.

On the judging panel is BJP deputy editor Diane Smyth, Tim Clark, editor at 1000 Words Magazine, and photographer Tom Hunter.

“We want see how today’s photographic artists are dealing with the selfie,” say the organisers in a press statement. “This could be through photographic representation in social media, examining self and selfhood, documenting life changes, and creating memory… The panel will be looking for dynamic and thought provoking approaches to the concept, which challenge and engage with the question ‘what makes a good selfie?’” All entries will be screened on the night.

The panel discussion event features leading academics and artists who will explore questions around self-portraiture and personal identity. On the panel is artist Rosy Martin, James Kilner and Paul Snowdon from University College London, and Eugenie Shinkle from the University of Westminster. It will be chaired by Annebella Pollen from the University of Brighton.

The Curated Ego: What Makes a Good Selfie? takes place at the National Portrait Gallery on 16 January 2014, from 7pm-8.30pm. Admission is free. For more information and to reserve a place visit www.studiostrike.com/selfie-open-call.