Emma Hartvig (b.1990) is an artist who is best known for her portraits of women. The work is highly influenced by her desire to understand the parallels between solitude, intimacy and identity - through her use of the cinematic, performative and theatrical. The figurative elements of her work is an ongoing study of the power and complexity in female representation with an attempt to remove stigma and sexualization around nudity, and put focus on women's own self-perception.
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 eventually settled in Vienna, where she works on long term projects exploring different female narratives.
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 by: Anne Avramut (Vienna and New York based curator) for the artists participation in the duo exhibition "Embodied politics: women, power and public life" at Galerie Michael Bella (2024)
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