Martti Jämsä’s exhibition Kevät! (Spring!) at Photographic Gallery Hippolyte consists of silver gelatin prints, all printed and selenium toned by the artist. The exhibition includes two series photographed in the Ruutinkoski area in Vantaa, in 2015–2017. One photographed during summer and one during winter. In addition to the Ruutinkoski series the exhibition also includes prints from Jämsä’s new book, carrying the same title as the exhibition.

The details of branches and tree trunks, together with the landscapes from Ruutinkoski, talk of both the harmony, beauty and conflict in our relationship with nature as it varies from recreation to livelihood and nourishment. The exhibition also includes a small series depicting woodland plants that have been used as food during times of famine. The meaning of nature and place is drawn through repetition as Martti Jämsä photographs the same area or motif focusing his attention on small changes in the familiar surroundings.

Martti Jämsä’s news book Kevät! (Sémiosquare, 2017) is launched at the opening. The exhibition also includes a new unique portfolio by Jämsä titled Oksat (Branches). Just as photography books also portfolios and artists books have been an essential part of Martti Jämsä’s artistic work for decades. In various formats they show his black and white images either as original prints or reproductions. Many of Martti Jämsä’s books and portfolios are available to purchase at Photographic Gallery Hippolyte.

Martti Jämsä (b. 1959) is a photographic artist based in Helsinki, best known for his black and white photographic expression. He has had numerous solo exhibitions in Finland since 1982, the most recent ones including “Snapshot” at Forssa Museum and “N:o 6” at Photographic Centre Nykyaika in 2016. The same year his works were shown as a part of the “I Love Heino” exhibition at Helsinki Art Museum HAM. Martti Jämsä has published 12 photography books and has realised 15 portfolios or artist books. For more information visit: www.marttijamsa.fi

Thank you: Stiina Krooks Stiflelse, Finnish Cultural Foundation

29 June – 28 July 2017
MARTTI JÄMSÄ
Kevät!

Photographic Gallery Hippolyte
Yrjönkatu 8–10 courtyard, 00120 Helsinki, +358 9 612 33 44, www.hippolyte.fi
Opening hours in July: Mon–Fri 12–5 pm, Sat–Sun closed