The 'Escapes' series has been seven years in the making. Beginning with a quest to explore memories and identity through photography, the focus on landscapes was born out of a desire for space, time to reflect and to be at peace. Björn Abelin is interested in early landscape photography and how nature was viewed and interpreted by artists using both photography and painting. The photographs are taken at a number of places across Europe, but no attempt is made to describe the particular scenery of each location. No dates or place names are given. As the series developed it became clear that the place itself was not significant. More important was the idea that each image reflected the attitude or state of mind of the artist as he experienced each place and time.

Abelin's choice of a large format camera inspires a calm, methodical and intense way of working in which he becomes highly conscious of his environment. He imagines himself as either the first or last human being on earth. In this way he can experience the elements with child-like wonder and curiosity, or with deep appreciation and knowledge. Two ways to contemplate our relationship to nature, two perspectives from which to consider our position in a changing world.

Having captured the image, the next step in his process is to create a single print using Kodalith paper. Kodalith is a high contrast silver gelatin paper originally intended for line reproduction. When 'pushed' for use in pictorial expression it enables a wide range of grainy, high-contrast, and tonal effects. Its unusual handling characteristics also mean that prints must be pulled at precisely the “right” moment from the developer and quickly stopped, making each print unique. These prints are then enlarged and reproduced as LAMDA (colour) photographs, the warm and golden tones and high sheen recalling an oversized daguerreotype.

On this scale we can now lose ourselves in each vista - dramatic and beautifully simple moments; created, captured and preserved as part of Abelin’s personal journey. We are invited to join him on this journey, and perhaps inspired to begin our own.


-----------------


Björn Abelin was born in Sweden in 1963. He studied at the Nordic Photographic School (Biskops-Arnö, Sweden) from 1987 to 1990, was Chief Photographer at the Royal Swedish Opera from 1999 to 2000, and has worked freelance as a commercial photographer since 1991.

Solo exhibitions
Gallery Fotokompaniet (Göteborg, Sweden) 2008
Gallery Skarliden (Vara, Sweden) 2006
Jakobsberg Art Hall (Jakobsberg, Sweden) 2004
Photographic Center (Copenhagen, Denmark) 1997
Gallery Panora ( Malmö, Sweden) 1995
Nordiska Museet ( Stockholm, Sweden) 1995
FC Gallery (Örebro, Sweden) 1992
Gallery Finnfoto (Helsinki, Finland) 1992

Group exhibitions
Lika Med, Modern Museum of Art (Stockholm,Sweden) 1991
Lian Zhou Photo Festival 2008

Books
I Afton Dans, Albert Bonniers publisher 1992
Lusthus & långa höstar, Prisma publisher 1998
Escapes, Journal publisher 2006

Back to top of page

All prices are subject to change without notice and availability is subject to prior sale. Please call or email the gallery for current pricing & availability. Thank you!

© 2008 Hackelbury Fine Art, Ltd. Copyright for all images is held by the respective artist or estate and they may not be reproduced in any form without express premission. All rights reserved.