exhibitions

environment

The exhibition of Susanna Alava’s photography is about love for the local nature. How natural light and photography are a source of strength, joy, hope and peace when life feels challenging. The exhibition is open to the public at Nature House Villa Elfvik from 30 November 2022 to 22 January 2023.“With the camera lens I get to immerse myself in my own magic world. I can get excited about examining how a curtain of green leaves creates a safe haven,” Alava says. Coincidence plays a big role in the creation of Alava’s photography, and she has noticed that photographing involves strong, emotional experiences.Alava was diagnosed with chronic cancer in 2006. Camping and wildlife photography have given Alava joy and a meaningful activity. “Cancer is not always curable, but you can learn to live a reasonably good life with it,” Alava says.Alava has utilised macrography when taking photos of the small miracles in her local nature. The photograph can be taken out in nature or in her simple mini studio. She has used double exposure and motion technique to capture atmospheric views. Alava’s approach is experimental and she strives to learn new things.Digital photography has been Alava’s hobby and she has studied it for a little over ten years. For three years, she has been part of a photography group led by visual artist Hanna Råst. Alava feels that the group provides her with support and guidance for her photographic expression.Alava’s photographs have gained success in the Vuoden luontokuva competition where her photograph Maaginen valo (‘magical light’) won second place in 2020. The public also voted the photograph as their favourite. Furthermore, Alava’s photographs have won three semi-final placements in the annually held wildlife photography competition that showcases Finnish nature.Nature House Villa Elfvik (Elfvikintie 4) is open Monday–Friday 9–15, on Sundays and mid-week holidays 10–16. The Nature House is closed for the holidays 24–26 December 2022. Café Elfvik is open on Sundays and mid-week holidays when the Nature House is also open. Admission to the Nature House and the exhibition is free.

Light of nature - Susanna Alava’s empowering photography of local nature

The event “Light of nature - Susanna Alava’s empowering photography of local nature” has ended