The exhibition features the top 25 images of the Wellcome Photography Prize image competition and reflects a shared commitment between Wellcome and the Crick to make science more visible through culture.

The opening follows the announcement of three category winners at an awards ceremony held at the Crick yesterday evening. UK-based artist Sujata Setia, Bangladeshi documentary and street photography Mithail Afrige Chowdhury, and UK-based electron microscopy specialist and science photography Steve Gschmeissner, were each awarded a £10,000 prize.

The winning images reflect how science and health shape people’s lives in complex and deeply personal ways, from the hidden toll of domestic abuse to the everyday realities of climate migration.

Exhibited a stone’s throw away from the Crick’s own cutting-edge electron microscopy facility, Steve Gschmesissner’s image Cholesterol in the Liver reveals the microscopic processes that underpin heart disease, detailing cholesterol crystals forming inside lipid-laden liver cells. Taken using a scanning electron microscope and superficially coloured, the image transforms the biological process of cholesterol hardening to form crystal into something visually striking.

Several other images displayed in the exhibition also explore topics researched at the Crick, including epilepsy, air pollution and breast cancer. Also on display is a participatory photography project in Cape Town, showcasing striking photography from young people aiming to challenge stigma in communities with a high HIV and TB burden.

Ali Bailey, Director of Communications and Public Engagement at the Crick, said: 

We are delighted to host the top images from the Wellcome Photography Prize, showcasing the power of visual storytelling in health and science. The images explore a number of themes that resonate with Crick research, from the health effects of air pollution to neurogenesis. We hope visitors will be moved by the stories behind these incredible photos and also inspired by how beautiful science can be.

Lara Clements, Associate Director of Engagement at Wellcome, said: 

The Wellcome Photography Prize offers image makers a platform to showcase the impact of science and health on lives around the world. This year’s winning works stood out not only for their technical accomplishment, but for the care and collaboration behind them. Sujata Setia’s portraits raised powerful questions around dignity, confidentiality and sensitivity. Mithail Afrige Chowdhury’s image exemplified the value of being embedded in the community and explored themes of adaptation, illusion and fantasy in a compelling way. Steve Gschmeissner’s biomedical image impressed us with its precision and raised important questions about how scientific imagery is shared and understood by the public. We hope audiences will find the winners’ work moving, educational and inspiring, and enjoy the full exhibition at the Francis Crick Institute.

Visit the exhibition

The Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 is a free exhibition displayed in the Crick's Manby Gallery from 17 July to 18 October 2025, on Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10:00–16:00 (Wednesdays until 20:00). Find out more about visiting the exhibition.