JH Engström
Photographer Video Artist
Born in Karlstad, Sweden, in 1969, JH Engström began his artistic journey amidst the valleys and forests of Värmland province. At the age of ten, his life took a radical turn: the family moved to Paris, and the contrast between the tranquillity of the Swedish countryside and the effervescence of Parisian life imprinted on his artistic consciousness.
After settling in Stockholm in 1993, he shared a lab with the photographer Anders Petersen, whose expressive style had a determining influence on him. His insatiable curiosity led him to New York between 1998 and 2000, where he had the opportunity to spend time in Robert Frank's studio.
Engström's work stands out for its boldness and freedom, breaking established rules of photography to explore the creative potential of the instantaneous and staged, of black and white and colour. In the 2000-2010 decade, his art found expression through various means, including video, installation, and writing.
At the heart of his work is an autobiographical exploration of the world. Each image, be it a portrait, still life or landscape, is a fragment of memory, an intimate glimpse of his perception of life. He believes that everything carries within it a vital energy, and explores feelings of solitude, empathy, safety and vulnerability.
Engström was nominated for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Prize in 2005. His work has been exhibited solo in venues such as the Finnish Museum of Photography and Värmlands Museum in Sweden, and his photographs are part of the collections of prestigious museums worldwide. In 2012, he co-founded Atelier Smedsby with Margot Wallard, creating a space where artists can exchange and learn.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
• TRYING TO DANCE - Journal, Stockholm; 2003
• HAUNTS - Steidl, Göttingen; 2006
• CDG / JHE - Steidl, Göttingen; 2008
• FROM BACK HOME (with Anders Petersen) - Max Ström, Stockholm; 2009
• KARAOKE SUNNE (with Margot Wallard) - Super Labo, Tokyo; 2014
• DAY BY DAY - Bessard, Paris; 2020
FILMOGRAPHY:
• HÄR/ICI/HERE - short film, JH Engström; 2017
• THE WORDS - simultaneous screenings, 6h, JH Engström; 2017
• BERTIL AND MAGGAN: A DOCUMENTARY - directed by Jenny Örnborn, Story; 2006
• A FILM ABOUT/WITH ANDERS PETERSEN - directed by JH Engström; 20061.
