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 celebrates emerging talent with the touring exhibition Gen Z: Shaping a New Gaze, currently on display at Fotografie Forum Frankfurt, Germany, until 30 August 2026. 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.
