Information

Emma Hartvig (b.1990) is an artist best known for her photographs of women. Her body of work is highly influenced by a desire to understand the parallels between solitude, intimacy and identity - often through her use of the cinematic, performative and theatrical. Hartvig attempts to find a frame that looks at the private / public persona - a frame that keeps reflecting a desire between wanting to remain inside our own space while still longing for a connection to the world and others. Through meticulously composed images, Hartvig challenges traditional representations of women, focusing on self-perception rather than objectification. Her ongoing visual study seeks to dismantle stigmas surrounding nudity while emphasizing inner strength and agency.

Born and raised in Sweden, Hartvig moved to London where she completed a BA in photography at University of the Arts. She lived in Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen, and spent a major part of her early 20's in Los Angeles - places that influenced her work deeply. Eventually she settled in Vienna where she currently works on long term projects with the women of the city. Hartvig’s work has been exhibited in Milan, Vienna, London and Bratislava - with upcoming solo shows in the U.S in 2025. Her work has been published in L'Oeil de la Photographie, Musée Magazine, Fisheye Magazine, Die Zeit and AnOther Magazine, amongst others. She was included in Rizzoli's book "Pools" (2020) and Hatje Cantz "The Swimming pool in Photography" (2017).

"Emma Hartvig's photography, with its cinematic quality and keen eye for detail, narrative depth, and emotional resonance, captures more than just moments; it delves into the stories behind the subjects, often with a profound commentary on the political and social roles of women. Hartvig’s work, characterized by its aesthetic finesse and thematic boldness in addressing nudity, offers a compelling exploration of femininity, identity, and the dynamics of power and vulnerability, making her a notable voice in contemporary photography.

Through meticulously staged scenes that resemble stills from a film, Hartvig’s photographs transcend mere visual appeal, inviting the viewer to engage with the underlying stories and themes. Her subjects, always women, are portrayed in ways that challenge conventional perceptions and highlight their complexity, strength, and agency. By doing so, Hartvig contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender equality, feminism, and the roles women occupy both in the private sphere and the public domain.

Hartvig’s approach to depicting women eschews stereotypical portrayals, opting instead for a nuanced representation that acknowledges the multiplicity of women’s experiences and identities. Her photographs often depict moments of introspection, intimacy, and interaction that hint at the broader socio-political contexts influencing women’s lives."

Text written by Anne Avramut (Curator and Director of Galerie Michael Bella)

Exhibitions

Solo

2026 (Upcoming) Masks and Myths, The Hulett Collection, Tulsa, USA

2025 Masks and Myths, FAS44, Las Vegas, USA

2023 Silent Cinema: Wiener Frauen, Galerie Salon am Schwarzenbergplatz, Vienna

Group

2025 (Upcoming) Artist Roundtable Collection, Barbati Gallery, Venice, Italy (curated by Pia Biasi)

2024 Persona, OFF Gallery, Bratislava

2024 (Dual) Embodied politics: women, power and public life, Galerie Michael Bella, Vienna

2024 Aesthetica Art Prize Group Show, York Gallery, UK

2022 Just Women, La Fondazione Luciana Milano, Milan

2021 Pictures, Fotohof, Salzburg