Emma Sarpaniemi
b. 1993 Finland
Based in Helsinki (Finland)
‘In my practice, I explore womanhood and definitions of femininity through performative self-portraits. For me, self-portraiture is a playground, a realm for exploring representation and resisting conventions of the gaze. The portrayed characters offer the possibility to continuously reconstruct oneself. I am not creating an alter ego, but instead, presenting an honest representation, in which I can recognise myself. Collaboration and collectivity hold an important role in my work. Traces of the presence of friends appear in individual portraits for example, through a painted house, or a friend focusing behind the camera.
My forever source of inspiration comes from colours and how they affect our emotions. Being curious about everyday observations and aesthetics, I find it important to surround myself with different objects that I can look at. In my work, I strive to bring joy, hope and curiosity.’
Images:
1-Emma Sarpaniemi, Delivering Cake to Hilma, 2024, from the series Two Ways to Carry a Cauliflower © Emma Sarpaniemi
2-Emma Sarpaniemi, Meyer Lemons, 2021, from the series When the Sun goes down We see Lemons © Emma Sarpaniemi
3-Emma Sarpaniemi, Pink Variegated Lemons, 2021, from the series When the Sun goes down We see Lemons © Emma Sarpaniemi
4-Emma Sarpaniemi, Citron Lemons, 2022, from the series When the Sun goes down We see Lemons © Emma Sarpaniemi
5-Emma Sarpaniemi, Pink Lemonade Lemons, 2019, from the series When the Sun goes down We see Lemons © Emma Sarpaniemi
Bringing together 66 artists from across the world, Photo Elysée recently celebrated emerging talent with the exhibition Gen Z: Shaping a New Gaze. As media partner, 1000 Words is featuring the work and accompanying texts of all participating artists in our weekly column dedicated to new voices in contemporary photography.
