Exhibition. Fönstret
May-Lis Andersen: The Well
2026.01.30 - 2026.02.27
The Well is set around a farm in southeastern Finland where May-Lis Andersen has spent almost every summer. The idea for the project started with a series of images taken in 1992 in connection with the cleaning of the farm’s well. The farm has been uninhabited for several years and is falling into disrepair.
May-Lis’s story takes place somewhere between the present moment of clarity and attempts to recreate the stories. It becomes a way of trying to catch a glimpse of those who lived on the farm for a long time, their experiences, and of the nature that remains when they have left.
The presence of nature is palpable, and last summer May-Lis photographed rosebay willowherbs that had not been seen in the area for several years since the older photographs were taken. The rosebay willowherb is a symbol of sustainable transformation and is mentioned as one of the most important wild plants in a survival situation with high energy value, where everything can be eaten.
Quote from ongoing book work on the project:
“… And perhaps it is so that one must accept not being a participant anymore, comforted by nature’s
restoration. Like a warm blanket, you carry the memories, stand and watch, in a long farewell.”
May-Lis Andersen is a photographic artist based in Stockholm. Since darkroom studies in the mid-80s, photography has been her driving force. Work and experience in photojournalism, theater, dance, and poetry have formed the basis of her artistry. She is inspired by the momentary and undiscovered, often with the bustle of the streets as a starting point. During a longer stay in London, she portrayed the city and its people. One of the photographs is currently on display in the exhibition “The Art of Collecting” at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm.
Digital artist talk via Centrum för fotografi’s Instagram on Friday, January 30 at 1 PM
