Significant places

The Significant Places exhibition tells us about the lives of women who have moved to the Helsinki Metropolitan region from various parts of the world. Taking photographs inspired the women to observe their surroundings, to share their experiences, and to communicate both in Finnish and their own mother tongues, and without words.

In the pictures in the exhibition women with an immigrant background and the photographer Nina-Maria Oförsagd document their observations and their use of urban space. The women have photographed places that are important to them and things that affect them. In their work they used the PhotoVoice technique of community photography. The jointly written picture captions are an important part of the whole.

The photographer Nina-Maria Oförsagd continued her collaboration with the members of the photography group by taking pictures of them as part of a contemporary-documentary project for the photograph collections of the Helinä Rautavaara Museum and the National Board of Antiquities. In the jointly arranged photography sessions they thought about what physical places are interesting and important to people who have moved to Finland, and what extra colour they bring to their subject. In the sessions they enjoyed nature, conducted their ordinary business, met acquaintances, went on a trip with friends, and spent silent moments in prayer.

The exhibition has been produced by the Helinä Rautavaara Museum.

Events: Meet the artists, Sun 27.5 at 14:00. Some of the women who took part in the project will be present. Visitors can hear about the PhotoVoice method and share in a Yelset Al-Kider meal . Free entrance.