Stefan Bremer

Stefan Bremer is a key figure in Finnish art photography. Though examples of his work can also be found in photojournalism and documentaries, it is in art photography where he has risen to the greatest prominence over his career. Nevertheless his presence is always sincere and all-encompassing in images of all kinds, bringing powerful and moving emotional charges that are simultaneously sensitive and powerful, gentle and fierce.

Stefan Bremer made a name in the early 1980s portraying subcultures, young people and the rock music world with close-up views of his subjects in their element: on the streets and in clubs. This gave rise to the photo series Helsinki by Night (1983), Yön hahmot Figures of the Night and Valokuva on Rock The Photograph is Rock.

The early 1990s series No Comments and Still no comments were a powerful statement on corruption in Finnish political life, but Bremer’s principal works from this decade were the studies of Finnish men and women in his Man (1994-96) and Woman (1995-99) series. The figures of these images are like charismatic sculptures that Bremer has constructed using powerful contrasts of light and shadow.

Bremer presented warm and colourful images from Africa under the title Afrikka, Meno - paluu [Africa, Return] at his Forum Box exhibition in September 2005. The images convey a human humour and the photographer’s inquisitive and respectful attitude to his subjects.

Lot is sold in collaboration with Forum Box.