When I was ten weeks old, my family moved from Finland to Tanzania, where I lived for the first three years of my life. I have no recollections of the time spent in Africa, yet I feel it’s an essential part of who I am. Even as a child, I was drawn to my childhood pictures from Africa, feeling a strong contradiction looking at the photographs and not remembering the place or people at all.
My father was a keen amateur photographer. He died when I was eleven years old, leaving behind a vast archive of images. Growing up, going through his archive, led me to further question the link between photography and memory.
In the series To remember (2004), I combine pictures taken by my father with new ones using double exposure on colour negative film.
Evidence (Father's negatives), 2007. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 46 x 41 cm. Edition 5 + 2 ap.
To remember (mirror), 2004. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 19 x 17 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence: They loved each other, part 1, 2007. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 25 × 31 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (beach), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (mother), 2004. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 x 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence: Passport photos (Father), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 21 x 18 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (starlings), 2004. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (the secret), 2004. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (shoes), 2004. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 19 x 22 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (Christmas), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 35 x 40 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence: Passport photos (“Good”), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 19 x 23 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence: Passport photos (Family), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 19 x 23 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (bedroom), 2007. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (sand), 2006. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 35 x 28 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence (This is my life I), 2007. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 32 × 38 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (trees), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (sole), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 19 x 15 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember (kiss), 2006. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 65 × 83 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
Evidence: Passport photos (“For mother and father”), 2005. Analogue c-print on aluminium, framed. 21 x 18 cm. Edition 5 + 2 a.p.
To remember. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki (FI). 2007
To remember. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki (FI). 2007
To remember. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki (FI). 2007
To remember. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki (FI). 2007
To remember. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki (FI). 2007
355 memories (2007). Old family photographs, text, wooden shelf. 30 x 254 x 12 cm.
355 memories (2007), detail. Old family photographs, text, wooden shelf. 30 x 254 x 12 cm.
355 memories (2007), detail. Old family photographs, text, wooden shelf. 30 x 254 x 12 cm.