MTV EMA Honours M’sian Photog-Activist, Catherhea For Her Fight For Racial & Social Justice

By Karissa Lund  •  05 Nov 2020 in News

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Another Malaysian making our country proud once again! Recently, MTV European Music Award (EMA) announced the five winners for the ‘Generation Change Award’ on their social media platforms and surprisingly – one of ’em is Malaysian portrait photographer Catherhea Potjanaporn!

According to NST, the category which “empowers young people driving positive change in the world”, will be honouring Cartherhea for her fight for racial and social justice.

Alongside investigative journalist and filmmaker Kiki Mordi from Nigeria, British racial justice campaigner Temi Mwale from the UK, black transgender activist Raquel Willis from the US, and racial activist and award-winning journalist Luiza Brasil from Brazil. She will be receiving the award on 8 November.

Let’s give it up for our 2020 #MTVEMA Gen Change winners!! 👏👏 We’re so proud of all the work being done on the frontlines to change the world for better!! 🙏 Thank you! ♥️

🌏 @kikimordi
🌏 @RaquelWillis_
🌏 @TemiMwale
🌏 @mequetrefismos
🌏 Catherhea Potjanaporn pic.twitter.com/U2KVsE5h3s

— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 3, 2020

If you’re not familiar with Catherhea’s work, she is a portrait photographer who captures diverse faces and bodies, to draw attention to under-represented communities in Malaysia while also challenging conventional beauty standards.

The outspoken feminist-activist focuses on promoting women of colour and telling their inspirational stories. Here’s a sneak peek of her best work:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Catherhea Potjanaporn (@catherhea) on Jan 27, 2020 at 6:56am PST

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Catherhea Potjanaporn (@catherhea) on Jul 16, 2019 at 9:27pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Catherhea Potjanaporn (@catherhea) on Aug 28, 2019 at 6:22pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Catherhea Potjanaporn (@catherhea) on Jan 12, 2020 at 2:43am PST

Currently, Catherhea is working on ‘Divine Retribution’, a series that validates the trauma and feelings of sexual assault survivors.

Speaking to NST, she said, “Having my work acknowledged by such a major brand like MTV is validation for me and the work I’ve done so far to capture the diverse beauty of Malaysians. Your voice, no matter how small it may seem, can and will make an impact.”

Regarding the award category, MTV EMA representative, Kerry Taylor said, “This generation has the power to transform our world for the better, and we’re seeing youth rise up to take action in every corner of the world. MTV is committed to giving their voices and stories the global stage as they demand justice.”

MTV EMA will be broadcast internationally at 8.50pm (Malaysian time) on Nov 9 from Budapest, Hungary. Let’s support our homegirl by watching it and while you’re at it, follow Cartherhea on Instagram too!