Press Releases

The exhibition at National Museum Cardiff is generously supported by the Wales Rail Travel Supporter, Great Western Railway and is the only museum in the UK outside of London to display 100 exquisite light panels. From polar bears in the Antarctic to exotic deepwater shrimp and teeny tiny insects, the images showcase Earth’s extraordinary diversity and the fragility of the natural world.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 55 years. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives over 50,000 entries from all over the world, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by well over a million people.  

David Anderson, Director General for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said, “It is wonderful to welcome the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition back to National Museum Cardiff. Never has the conversation about the importance of caring for our natural world been so relevant and it’s great to be making the connection with our own scientific collections here in the museum.

“We hope that visitors will enjoy the exhibition and are inspired to explore, discover and protect the nature on their doorstep.”

With a record-breaking number of entries from 95 countries, the judges of the fifty-seventh Wildlife Photographer of the Year have had the toughest job yet. Every entry was judged anonymously on its creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum says, “These extraordinary images showcase the rich diversity of life on Earth and spark curiosity and wonder. Telling the story of a planet under pressure, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition illuminates the urgent challenges we face and the collective action we need to take. This year’s inspiring exhibition will move and empower audiences to advocate for the natural world.”

The exhibition will run at National Museum Cardiff until 29 August, and the museum have announced an exciting programme of events to keep visitors of all ages inspired and entertained this summer. These include:

• 2 July 2022: National Meadows Day
• 28 July 2022: Film Screening and Exhibition Viewing
• 4 August 2022: In Conversation
• 13-14 August 2022: Museum Sleepover: Natural World at Home

Ticket prices and Member discounts for the events vary. General admission for the exhibition is £10, Concessions are priced at £7 and entry to the exhibition is free to those under 16 and to Amgueddfa Cymru Members. For more information, to book tickets for the exhibition and the events, and to become a Member, please go to www.museum.wales/WPY2022

Visitors to the museum will also be able to buy official merchandise accompanying the exhibition from the museum’s shop. These include a Wildlife Photographer of the Year-branded tote bag and two publications:

• Portfolio 31 – featuring the latest unforgettable collection of all winning and commended photographs from this year’s competition.
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year Highlights Volume 7 – featuring memorable highlights from the competition encompassing all aspects of wildlife and environmental photography, from underwater to urban wildlife. Twenty-five striking photographs from the competition’s special People’s Choice vote are also included.