Swedish Photography

NADJA HALLSTRÖM "The Mustang Coby" (2019). Edition: 30+2 AP. Signed and numbered. Certificate of Authenticity included. Hahnemühle Rag 308 g. Available in 2 sizes.

The horse is a universal symbol of freedom. While the majority of Americans value wild horses and want to see them preserved and protected, the Bureau of Land Management who is in charge of all public land, plans to eradicate wild horses and continues to allow intensive commercial livestock grazing on public lands. Chasing such a strong symbol of freedom because of profitable interest becomes a reminder of the distance between reaching the dream of freedom (how it once looked) and the cynicism that often characterizes people’s view on nature today. What happens when we fail to protect the wild animals, when we tame nature into an obedient tool? The hunt for the last wild horses is a prey on a threatened species, like so many before. But also a predatory act on man’s dream of being able to live with the wild, to be in harmony with nature instead of being its superior.

The picture of The Mustang Coby belongs to Hallström's series The Last Wild Horses taken at a Wild Horse Rescue Center in the US. At the center, people are working to rehabilitate wild horses and teaching them to trust people. In her images, Hallström depicts the people who are rehabilitating these wild horses and who are fighting for their survival.

Nadja Hallström’s (b. 1980) work focuses primarily on artistic expression within photography – her work spans the fields of wild horses, portraits and personal projects. Nadja grew up in Stockholm in an artistic family. She has also lived in New York, Havana, Berlin and in Greece. Nadja is now living in Stockholm and is working as a freelance photographer. Nadja´s photography has been exhibited at various galleries in different countries from Sweden, Germany, England, France and the US. In Sweden, her work has been shown at Galleri Kontrast, Center of Photography and The Museum of Modern Art Stockholm - Studion. In 2020, her work was part of an exhibition at the National Museum in Helsinki and the city's photo festival. As a commercial photographer, she has worked for a wide range of institutions and cultural establishments. Nadja´s images have been published and distributed widely in international and Swedish media amongst them Le Monde (France), IO DONNA (Italy), Daydream Magazine (London), Ex-Berliner (Germany), DN, Ottar, Situation Stockholm, Swedish Film, Modern Psykologi, Rädda Barnen, Filter etc. Nadja´s other credentials include working as a still photographer within film. She has done assignments for Nordisk Film, FLX, B-reel, HOBAB and Netflix. She is also widely assigned to portrait photography for book companies and music companies.

https://nadjahallstrom.com/

The work can be explored in our Virtual Art Gallery: https://visit.virtualartgallery.com/helphoto-selected-darlings