Exhibition. Fönstret
Louise Sinaga Helmfrid: Plastic Can Never Wither
20240830 - 20240920
Plastic Can Never Wither is a photo series that examines the relationship between the Southeast & East Asian diaspora and Sweden. In 2023, Louise Sinaga Helmfrid began a project inspired by the first Asian person she saw on Swedish television, the character Nena in Jägarna (1996). This prompted her to begin investigating the ways in which and the forms in which the diaspora is allowed to be seen in Sweden. Out of a disinterest in making an account of misrepresentation, a desire was instead born to create an archive of real stories.
The title is a tribute to the plastic flowers, which culturally connect Asia and are often perceived as “cheap,” but in the same way as archives – are forever.
The people in the portraits are all there for the reason that they have a special place in the legacy we leave behind. Without Tobias Hübinette, for example, we might not have had the language to talk about ethnicity and race in Sweden in the way that we can today. Without Maria Jisoo Edman and Henrik Erngren Othén, fewer would surely have hoped to be reunited with their siblings and meet in the incredible aftermath of separation that adoption entails. But it does not end there, I expect the portraits to grow. Let this exhibition be a reminder that plastic can never wither.
Thanks to those photographed: Tobias Hübinette, researcher. Kat Zhou, Product Designer. Evelyn Mok, comedian. Jenny Nguyễn, asylum lawyer, Lovisa Lager, Model. Risma Siregar Sinaga, grandmother. Maria Jisoo Edman & Henrik Erngren Othén. Thai Associations: Thai Buddhist Association, Watsantinivas Association, Thai Cultural Association Salathai, Kru Pim Thaidans in Stockholm, Thai Women in Sweden Empowerment Project (ThaiWISE), Youth Association Saladekthai, Association of Thai Teachers in Sweden.
Louise Sinaga Helmfrid is a Swedish photographer with an Indonesian background, who combines documentary photography and fashion in her works, often containing strong colors and natural elements. Her work explores themes such as identity and cultural heritage of the global majority and has been exhibited at Fotografiska, Kulturhuset in Stockholm and Botkyrka Konsthall, among others.
The vernissage talk will be broadcast live on Centrum för fotografi’s Instagram at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 30th.
