Past Uncovered by Rebecca Simons and Aija Svensson is an exhibition with both artistic and social goals. The project aims to spark conversations about domestic violence and its consequences. By combining documentary and symbolic strategies it offers a visual and auditory experience that portrays different perspectives and processes of navigating difficult situations. Past Uncovered is a dialogue between the works of the two artists, shedding light on the complex dynamics of violence in close relationships and its impact on individuals and families.

Simons and Svensson’s works intertwine as two personal, parallel narratives. Letters written by the artists to main characters in their lives serve as a guiding thread in the exhibition. Rebecca’s letter addresses her late grandfather, confronting the sexual abuse he inflicted on her family members. Aija, in turn, responds to a letter she never received—one her mother wrote to her daughters on her deathbed, but which was never found.

The visual works include photographs, video fragments, and archival footage, presented through prints, projections, and screens. In Rebecca’s narrative, viewers encounter survivors and family members through projection portraits and hear their voices reading letters to or from the perpetrator.  Aija’s story unfolds through printed photographs—a mosaic of memories that are both revealed and concealed. The exhibition is enhanced by a sound installation, created in collaboration with composer Viljam Nybacka, which weaves their creations into a unified narrative.

The exhibition includes an interactive space that invites visitors to share their own experiences in a living archive of letters. Together with crisis worker and educator Oscar Lehtinen the artists also arrange two workshops that allow visitors to explore their relationship with themselves and reshape their narrative through photography and collage techniques.

Through the Past Uncovered project, the artists aim to uncover hidden truths, foster healing, and spark dialogue around the universal and often silenced issue of domestic violence.

Rebecca Simons (b. 1981, Vaasa) is an artist who draws inspiration from the tensions between memories and myths. She is fascinated by how humans shape reality through selective memories and chosen truths. Utilizing photography, video, sound, and text, she deconstructs and reconstructs (family) history. At the core of her work lies active engagement with actors and audiences, achieved through the development of collaborative methods, audience participation, and educational programs that extend beyond her art projects. 

Simons received her MFA in photography at Post-St. Joost, Avans University, Breda and MA at Film and Photographic Studies, Leiden University. Her work has been presented at Officine Fotografische in Rome (Italy), the WoWmen Feminist Festival in Brussels (Belgium), Eos Gallery in Athens (Greece) among others. Rebecca lives and works in Rotterdam, The Netherlands where she also functions as co-courseleader at the photography department of Willem de Kooning Academy.

Aija Svensson (b. 1980, Tampere ) is a documentary photographer dedicated to capturing the profound connection between humanity and nature through intimate imagery. Her commitment to amplifying untold stories is evident in her portfolio, which includes compelling images of marginalized voices. Svensson’s images aim to create bridges between the personal and the universal, the past and the present.

Mostly self-taught in the past, Svensson studied photography at Fridhems Folkhögskola and by assisting a Swedish photographer Hannah Modigh. In addition to her photographic exhibitions in the Nordics, Svensson has published two photo books: “Do not cover” (Kehrer, 2022), a personal narrative, and “Ett liv i Finnskogen” (Votum, 2024), which depicts her encounters with climate refugees and descendant to Forest Finns in Finnskogen, Värmland.  Aija currently lives and works in southern Sweden.

Reclaim your story -workshops

Do you want to explore your relationship with yourself through photography and creativity?

During the exhibition Past Uncovered you are invited to a workshop where you, together with others, can explore issues of self-image and self-compassion. The workshops will be held on 8 February and 2 March at Photographic Gallery Hippolyte. They are free of charge and open to anyone aged 15 and older who speaks Swedish, Finnish, or English. No prior creative experience or specific connection to the theme is necessary. As space is limited, we ask participants to register in advance.

For more information and to sign up, please visit the event page for the February workshop here and March workshop here.

The exhibition and workshop activities are made possible with the help of Konstsamfundet and Kulturfonden för Sverige och Finland.

Rebecca Simons & Aija Svensson
Past Uncovered
7 February –2 March 2025
Photographic Gallery Hippolyte & Hippolyte Studio

image: Rebecca Simons & Aija Svensson, Past Uncovered, 2025