Anders PETERSON

Anders Petersen, a Swedish photographer, was born on May 3, 1944, in Solna. His visual quest truly began at the age of 18 when he flew to Hamburg, a vibrant city where he discovered the dark and warm corners of nightlife.

Upon returning to Sweden after completing his high school education and exploring various artistic paths, Petersen turned decisively to photography. He enrolled in the photography school at Stockholm University in 1966, where he became a student of Christer Strömholm, a mentor whose influence would shape his journey. In 1967, on Strömholm’s advice, he returned to Hamburg, immersing himself in the unique atmosphere of Café Lehmitz, a portside bistro. There, he forged connections with the patrons, capturing their tumultuous daily lives in a series of photographs. His iconic work, “Café Lehmitz,” published in 1978, immortalizes these moments of life.

A co-founder of the Saftra group with Kenneth Gustavsson, Petersen committed himself to documentary photography that does not shy away from showing the fractures of society. His works, imbued with deep empathy, lead him to explore delicate themes, as demonstrated by his series “Fängelse,” where he enters the world of prisons, and “Mental Hospital,” which takes him into the heart of a psychiatric hospital. Each image becomes a mirror of the solitude and inner struggles of his subjects, revealing truths often overlooked.

Alongside his photographic work, he enriches his practice through studies at the Dramatiska Institutet in Stockholm, thereby strengthening his artistic vision. His career, marked by international exhibitions and prestigious awards, such as the Grand Prize for Photography at the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie in Arles in 2003, attests to his impact on the world of photography.

Today, based in Stockholm, Anders Petersen continues to share his vision of the world through his books and workshops, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary photography.