Helga Härenstam
About Helga Härenstam
Helga Härenstam is a senior lecturer and teaches photography on the art teacher program and on the photography program at HDK-Valand. In addition to being an pedagogue, she is also active as an artist and as a writer. Constant cross-fertilization takes place between these professions.
In her artistic and literary practice, she works with associative, experimental, humorous and sometimes dark stories about life and chance. These projects consist of combinations between text and photography and are usually presented as books. Her artistry has, also resulted in several exhibitions, both in Sweden and abroad, including Göteborgs konsthall, Göteborgs konstmuseum. Alma Löv Museum (permanent pavilion), Kulturhuset Stockholm, Hasselblads Center, Arbetets Museum, Finland's Museum of Photography, Seoul international photography festival, Center de photographie de Lectoure, Seoul photo fair.
Härenstam's two latest books, "Howling & Humans" (Journal) and "Semester" (Sailor press) have been presented during 2022-2023 at, for example: Galleri Format, Photobook GBG, Kulturhuset and the Royal Library in Stockholm. Booked 22. MUU Helsinki Contemporary Art Centre, Chart 22, Landskrona photo, Stockholm photobook festival, Polycopies (Paris), Athens photo festival 2022, Photobook Exhibition at Benaki museum, Festival International de Fotografia in Chile 2022. "Howling & Humans" has also been shown as a solo exhibition at Tredje våningen . "Semester" has received an award from “Swedish book art” and was exhibited at Gathenhielmska villan, GIBCA extended and at Alingsås Kulturhus.
Helga has also recently worked as a board member in the Center for Photography and for The Swedish Arts Council.
Books/artist books
Howling & Humans 2021. Helga Härenstam, Journal förlag.
Semester. 2021. Helga Härenstam, Sailor Press.
In Waiting for What is to Come, 2018. Helga Härenstam, Journal förlag.
Sunshine & Shadow, 2016. Helga Härenstam, Sailor Press.
En bok om en bild, 2015. Helga Härenstam & Olle Essvik, Rojal förlag.
Alla hjärtans dag och andra scener, 2015. Helga Härenstam, Rojal förlag.
Stories for an 87 year old lady, 2013. Helga Härenstam, Journal förlag.
A demonstration of the sign of the horns, 2010. Multiple. Eget förlag.
The Looking Glass Photos, 2009. Helga Härenstam. Eget förlag.