Welcome to Fotosalongen, the very first photography salon at the Hasselblad Foundation – a new initiative dedicated to contemporary Swedish photography. This is a juried exhibition where diverse expressions, techniques, and perspectives come together in a rich and varied tapestry. Among the selected works, there are documentary depictions and autobiographical narratives as well as conceptual and poetic explorations.

The salon is based on an open call which anyone active in Sweden could apply to. A total of 5,860 images were submitted by 1,311 photographers, of whom 41 were selected by the jury. Some are established artists or freelance photographers, while others are amateurs driven by a strong visual language and creative energy.

The jury consisted of Pauline Benthede, Eva Dahlgren, Paul Hansen and Dragana Vujanović Östlind. With their varied backgrounds and experiences, they approached each submission with openness and curiosity.

For this first salon at the Hasselblad Foundation, we chose not to impose a thematic framework. The result is an exhibition that moves freely between genres and subjects – where diversity is a value. Here, we encounter images addressing social issues such as identity, exclusion, belonging, and migration. Other works focus on the climate, animals, and nature. We see environments from Uganda, Poland, and Iran – but also everyday scenes from Kålltorp, a room at Sahlgrenska hospital, markets in Skåne, and reindeer husbandry in Sápmi. Several photographers use traditional analogue techniques, while others work with mobile phones. Many pieces are rooted in personal experience while touching on universal themes. Together, the works in the salon offer a multifaceted portrait of photography in Sweden today.

Participants:

Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Anders Andersson, Elli Asker, Nathalie Bilan, Arne Bivrin, Youssef Boulkaid, Eva Brandin, Stina Brockman, Anna Cherednikova, Pao Duell, Peter Faltpihl, Malin Gezelius, Kenneth Gunnarsson, Marcus Gustafsson, Veronika Hjorth, Johan Jehlbo, Vanni Jung Ståhle, Patrik Kolmodin, Daniel Larsson, Johan Lidén, Julia Lindemalm, Carla Lomakka, Nora Lorek, Cecilia Löf, Patrik Malmer, Caroline Morten, Jonas Paurell, Ela Polkowska, Lojs Qvarfordt, Joakim Roos, Eva Rosth, Jenny Rova, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhus – Johanna St Michaels & Paul Björkman, Johannes Samuelsson, Maria Sandgren, Louise Sinaga Helmfrid, Sanna Sjöswärd, Andreas Varro, Rasmus Walldén and Lovisa Wanker.