Helga Härenstam
About Helga Härenstam
Helga Härenstam is a Senior Lecturer and teaches photography at HDK–Valand. She is also active as an artist and author. A constant cross-fertilization takes place between these practices.
In her artistic and literary work, she engages with associative, experimental, humorous, and sometimes dark stories about life and coincidence. These projects consist of combinations of text and photography and are most often presented in book form.
In addition to her books, her artistic practice has included numerous exhibitions both in Sweden and abroad. Among these are: Göteborgs Konsthall, Gothenburg Museum of Art, Alma Löv Museum, Kulturhuset Stockholm, Hasselblad Center, Arbetets Museum, The Finnish Museum of Photography, Photocenter Raseborg, Seoul International Photography Festival, Centre de Photographie de Lectoure, and Seoul Photo Fair.
One of her most recent projects is The Exposed Eye, a collaboration with Anna Strand, which so far has resulted in two publications and an exhibition at Alingsås Konsthall. Helga Härenstam also works with Fotoförfattarna (the Swedish Photowriters’ Association) and has previously worked for, among others, the Centre for Photography and the Swedish Arts Council.
Books/artist books
The Exposed Eye 2, 2025. Helga Härenstam & Anna Strand mfl. Rojal förlag.
The Exposed Eye 1, 2024. Helga Härenstam & Anna Strand. Sailor Press.
Three Years of Childhood during the Era of Extinction, 2024. Rojal förlag.
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.