17-07-2025
Technicolour lakes and butterfly brains: Wellcome photography prize 2025
Setia's series of portraits explore the mental and physical trauma caused by domestic abuse in south Asian culture. A survivor of domestic abuse herself, Setia worked in close collaboration with the charity Shewise. Her series of portraits depict the stories of survivors as they chose to be seen, and after taking the photographs, Setia used the Indian paper-cutting technique sanjhi . • All photographs can be seen at the Francis Crick Institute, London, until 18 October
Dhaka in Bangladesh has been subject to rapid urbanisation driven by climate migrants fleeing the rising threat of extreme weather events and natural disasters. Nuraine and her mother live in the city. Nuraine wanted to have a picnic outside in nature, but there are very few parks left, so her mother decided to recreate a 'nature experience' on the roof of their apartment building
This image is of cholesterol crystals (blue) within a human liver cell (purple). Cholesterol builds up in the circulatory system and causes blood-vessel damage, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Detailed images such as these can help scientists and the public understand the effects of cholesterol on the body
This aerial picture is of the former village of Geamăna in Transylvania, Romania. In 1977 the Romanian president, Nicolae Ceaușescu, ordered the evacuation of the village's 1,000 inhabitants to clear the way for the creation of a large lake to store toxic waste from the nearby copper mines. Popescu created this image to highlight how the beauty of the lake – which continues to grow - is at odds with its toxicity
Mordechai Zilberman sits wearing his late partner Aryeh's clothes, holding a flower-decorated mask. The two Israeli men were together for 60 years. After moving to a nursing home, he concealed his sexuality, fearing rejection from other residents and staff. This image is part of a series by Wagenstein, who worked with older LGBTQ+ people in their homes. The mask, made by Wagenstein, represents this act of hiding
Vanessa was diagnosed with breast cancer when they were 38. After a double mastectomy, they opted for 'aesthetic flat closure'. This decision was gender-affirming for them, and therefore positive, despite it also being a devastating experience. The portrait is from an ongoing series amplifying stories from people who are underrepresented in breast cancer research. Vanessa died at the end of December 2024 and this portrait is a celebration of their life
This was taken after a surgical procedure to implant electrodes into Vidler's brain. The procedure is carried out on people who have epilepsy that can't be controlled by medication and is used to identify which area of the brain is causing the seizures, and can determine whether they are eligible for brain surgery. Vidler took this picture on the first day that the electrodes were inserted, and he had to keep them in for seven days
This is of Musa Wandawa collecting water from a well next to his house in Jinja, Uganda. When Wandawa was 10 years old he contracted polio which left him with some physical disabilities. 'When I was growing up,' he says, 'children were sometimes afraid of me. I believe this perception has changed over the years and continues to change'
Ko Tun is a craftsman from Inle Lake in Myanmar who creates carved traditional lacquerware. Due to the loss of several limbs, Ko Tun works primarily with his left foot. Pyae Phyo says he wanted this image to give a broader perspective on the meaning of health: 'Ko Tun's resilience is not just physical, it is mental and emotional. His story speaks to the importance of purpose and adaptability in overcoming life's challenges'
Some of the most quietly powerful images explore ageing and the emotional terrain of later life. In this image , Waller photographs her mother navigating daily life in rural Australia. Her portraits are full of stillness and tenderness, capturing daily rituals
This is the brain of a butterfly undergoing metamorphosis as new neurones are born through a process called neurogenesis. Studying this process can provide valuable insights into how the nervous system is formed, as well as brain disorders, says scientist Alcalde Anton
Fine-particle pollution kills seven million people a year worldwide, and is linked to numerous health issues. This image shows magnified pollution particles in this street, visualising this otherwise 'invisible killer'. UK-based artist Vitaglione collaborated with scientists at Imperial College to collect samples
A group of divers admire Nemo's Garden - the world's first underwater greenhouse system, located in Liguria, Italy. It was created to research farming solutions for areas where growing plants may be challenging in the future. By highlighting this groundbreaking project, d'Orlando invites us to consider how an underwater vegetable garden might help us face the new challenges that climate crisis is bringing
This self-portrait by UK-based photographer Wileman documents the dates of her scars from endometriosis surgeries. The condition affects one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth and, says Wileman, 'is dangerously underfunded, under-researched and misunderstood, leaving so many isolated in their agony and fighting to be heard'
This image captures a group of local people collecting water from a riverbed in Purulia, a district in West Bengal, India. Due to global heating, the monsoon season is becoming more irregular, causing rivers to dry out. During the dry season, many villages in this area regularly run out of drinking water
