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Henrik Malmström
On borrowed time
4.3-28.3.2010
In his debut exhibition in Gallery Luova.fi photographer Henrik Malmström (b. 1983) presents a quiet and touching photo essay of his sister Maija's last months of struggle with cancer. Together with the exhibition, his book On Borrowed Time, where Maija's voice is heard through words and images, will
be launched. The foreword is written by Jörn Donner.
In this personal and sensitive narrative Malmström focuses on intimate moments, and on the
atmospheres and sentiments that arise when facing death.
“…We live on borrowed time.
We borrow some time here on earth, we borrow some counciousness…”
Maija, Helsinki 2003
In the summer of 1999 my older sister Maija was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, only 20 years old.
Her prognosis was not good. With the help of different treatments and a strong will she was able to extend and periodically enjoy her life.
In November 2007 Maija was hospitalized again.
This is when I started to document her and the rest of my family in hospitals and at home. The
following months where to be her last, for she passed away at home in April 2008.
“ There was a need for documenting feelings and happenings in front of me. During the years I hade seen Maija´s course, her ups and downs.
Somehow I understood that these were the last moments. In a difficult family situation different roles are adopted and photographing was a natural way of
being close to Maija. Photographing is a way of dealing with reality and feelings.”
Henrik Malmström, Helsinki 2010
Part of the On Borrowed Time photos won first prize in the category Domestic Reportages in the 2007
Finnish POY contest and third prize in the 2008 Fotofinlandia contest. The pictures where published in Photo Raw Magazine 01/2008.
Henrik Malmström is currently based in Espoo. He is represented by Posse Photo in Milan.
The exhibition and book are supported by the Foundation for Swedish Culture in Finland, the Patricia Seppälä Foundation and the Finnish Cancer Organisations.
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