A Country Where the Swans Have a Bank Account, 2023 - ongoing
The project's title is inspired by a true story that unfolded in Landskrona during the 1920s. It is a tale of human compassion and resilience, where a harsh winter trapped many swans in the Sound Strait. The locals, led by Gustaf Paulson, banded together to clear a portion of the water's surface and launched a fundraising campaign to feed the birds. This effort resulted in the establishment of a bank account for 'the Landskrona Swans' in 1924.
The story of the swans is not merely a historical event. I am driven to share stories from the peripheries, recognising that there is no singular periphery or centre; both exist in plurality and are often interchangeable.
The project combines archival images from various Swedish museums with my own writing, creating a tapestry of connections between Landskrona and other places in Europe, and sometimes even beyond. I aim to intertwine images with text to pay homage to Selma Lagerlöf, who lived in Landskrona.
The project was supported through a residency bursary '2023 Photography Grant - Landskrona Foto' awarded jointly by PhMuseum and Landskrona Foto Festival.
