Despite now living and working in Stockholm, the photographer Benedikte Ugland was born and raised deep in the Norwegian countryside - a subject that she has returned to time and time again in her art projects. In addition to working as a freelance photographer for magazines, newspapers and advertising agencies she has also been worked on a string of art projects that have led to a number of solo and group exhibitions as well as several photography awards.
The first five photographs shown below are taken from the project Vi Kom Gjennom Skogen (We came through the woods), a project Ugland has been working on for over nine years.
“In general, the project has helped me understand the value of living one day at the time. The moment is all I have to work with, the past is over and the future I cannot see”. Read more of what Ugland has to say about her work and see a selection of her photographs below:
”It all started when I went back to the small place where I grew up to photograph two brothers. I was looking for a genuine and down to earth feelings. By forgetting about time, getting in the mood of the place and focusing on the moment, I think I achieved the right expression. At the time of the shoot, I was leading an apparently stressful existence, feeling society’s demands on me to be best at everything.”
“My life was in stark contrast to the harmony I sensed in these country lives. I experienced that they had a lot of time and interest for me, my profession and my project. Money, luxury, competition, fashion and trends seemed to have nothing to do with their requirements for a good life. They did, on the other hand, see the value in peace, time, compassion and to have a great respect for natures own gifts.
Education
2002: Morten Krogvold Workshop (Vågå)
2000: Morten Krogvold Workshop (Italia)
1999: Morten Krogvold Workshop (Vågå)
1996-99: BA in Graphic Design/Photography Central Saint Martins, London
1995-96: Oslo Fotokunstskole
Solo Shows
June 2003: Maihaugen – Lillehammer
Mar 2003: Norsk Landbruksmuseum
February 2003: Rådhus – Oslo
April 2002: Rådhus – Hamar
September 2001: Fotografiets Hus, Oslo
Group Shows
December 2007: Kunst og Kulturfestivalen - Oslo
August 2006: Konserthus - Stockholm
August 2005: Galleri Kontrast - Stockholm
November 2003: Syv Glimt Syv Kunstnere – Gjøvik
Juni 1999: Sentral Saint Martins College - London
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