Politics, portraits and penises at the 2003 Citibank Photography Prize.

see van manen images
see simon norfolk images
see juergen teller images
see jitka hanzlová images

The most pertinent work in this year's Citibank Photography Prize exhibition comes from Briton Simon Norfolk. His classically composed Afghanistan landscapes create a grim portrait of a country left in ruins by years of conflict – and considerable bombing by Uncle Sam. The whole country looks like a necropolis, all ruined buildings, spent ammo casings, dead infrastructures.

The work of Czech-born, German resident Jitka Hanzlová is divided into a collection of sombre portraits of women from Brixton alongside enigmatic, stately forest landscapes.

Dutch practitioner Bertien van Manen's East Wind West Wind provides a frank, intimate portrait of late 90s China. Its images of people going about their lives provide an access point to a culture relatively unknown in the West.

Juergen Teller is renowned for his work in advertising and magazines. His photos in the exhibition include images of Björk and Yves Saint Laurent, who, in a large-scale head shot looks charmingly sinister. A self-portrait, naked and sweaty in a sauna, is humorously juxtaposed with a similarly damp-looking cave, his penis alongside the stalactites.

The winner – who will follow the likes of Andreas Gursky and Richard Billingham – will be announced 27 February. Daniel Etherington 06 February 03

The Citibank Photography Prize 2003 is at The Photographers' Gallery, Great Newport St, London until 22 March 03.