Malaysian photographer to receive MTV EMA Generation Change award

Malaysian portrait photographer Catherhea Potjanaporn (second from right) is among five women who will be awarded the Generation Change award at the 2020 MTV European Music Awards (EMA).

Malaysian portrait photographer Catherhea Potjanaporn is among five women who will be awarded the Generation Change award at the upcoming 2020 MTV European Music Awards (EMA).

Potjanaporn will receive the award on November 8, alongside four others from across the globe, including investigative journalist and filmmaker Kiki Mordi (Nigeria), British racial justice campaigner Temi Mwale (Britain), Black transgender activist Raquel Willis (United States) and racial activist and award-winning journalist Luiza Brasil (Brazil).

According to a press release by MTV EMA, the award recognises these five women for their "powerful work on the frontlines of the fight for racial and social justice across the globe", and "elevates and empowers young people who are driving positive change".

Potjanaporn is described as a "portrait photographer who captures diverse faces and bodies, to draw attention to underrepresented communities in Malaysia and challenge conventional beauty standards. A fierce feminist, much of her work focuses on elevating women of colour and their stories."

After the announcement was made, Potjanaporn tweeted that the award was 'so very humbling'.

so very humbling https://t.co/QriMT6AL8G — #MigranJugaManusia (@gengmatasepet) November 3,2020

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, the award will be presented on November 8, during a 'pre-game show' before the actual awards ceremony, and that organisers ViacomCBS and MTV International will make a monetary donation to each of the honourees' organisations in order to "amplify their powerful stories and transformative work on-air and on the brand’s social and digital platforms in nearly 180 countries."