SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Photographer Elisabeth Ohlson has died

The photographer Elisabeth Ohlson has died, according to her closest relatives for Sveriges Radio's Culture News. She became 63 years old.

» Updated: 30 October 2024, 14:55

» Published: 30 October 2024

Photographer Elisabeth Ohlson has died
Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Elisabeth Ohlson started as a press photographer, but switched to an artistic career and got her big breakthrough with the controversial photo exhibition "Ecce Homo" in connection with the Pride Festival in Stockholm in 1998.

The exhibition consisted of twelve photographs of different biblical motifs interpreted by Elisabeth Ohlson in LGBTQ environments.

She was very engaged and the question of homosexuals versus the church was incredibly important to her, says Karin Tingstedt, who was the producer of "Ecce Homo", to TT.

Bomb Threats

The photo exhibition sparked a major debate throughout Sweden and was criticized by some Christian representatives. Demonstrations and bomb threats occurred when it toured around the country.

She became very scared - being threatened with murder is not something you take lightly. At the same time, she was a person who didn't back down, the exhibition was too important to her, says Karin Tingstedt.

"Ecce Homo" was shown around Sweden for 20 years and also abroad, including in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

Ohlson considered herself a believer, but left the Church of Sweden after the debate.

Controversial Royal Photo

The photographer's method of adding fiction to documentary images caused several controversies over the years. In 2012, Elisabeth Ohlson depicted King Carl Gustaf eating pizza with his male friends on Camilla Henemark's naked body, while Queen Silvia tried to scrub away a swastika on the floor.

Queen Silvia reported several newspapers that published the image to the Press Council and eventually received an apology from Elisabeth Ohlson - but not for the artwork.

I might have apologized earlier, as soon as I realized that this was getting out of hand. I can't regret my artworks, but I can understand the Queen's sorrow, she said to TT.

Last Exhibition

Last year, Elisabeth Ohlson was diagnosed with incurable stomach cancer and openly stated that she was dying. Until October 6 this year, Abecita Pop Art & Photo in Borås showed a retrospective exhibition of her photographs, which drew a record audience.

She said already in the spring that it's just as well to say that this will be my last exhibition, says Michaela Faily, museum director at Abecita.

She highlights Elisabeth Ohlson's skill and ability to, despite her personal shyness, bring out the individual in all the portraits she made, from Queen Silvia to Benny Andersson.

She combined her creativity with an incredible love for people, I experienced her as genuinely kind-hearted.

Elisabeth Ohlson was born in 1961 in Skara and began her career as a daily newspaper photographer.

In 1998, she got her artistic breakthrough with the exhibition "Ecce Homo", which was first shown in Uppsala Cathedral. It resulted in bomb threats and the Pope canceling an audience that was planned for the then Archbishop K-G Hammar.

Other exhibitions that received great attention were "In hate we trust" in 2007 and "Jerusalem" in 2010.

Elisabeth Ohlson often worked with a documentary basis, but was also inspired by biblical paintings by, among others, Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

New Director for the World Culture Museums
1 MIN READ

New Director for the World Culture Museums

She receives SvD's literature prize
1 MIN READ

She receives SvD's literature prize

Casia Bromberg is leaving Bromberg's publishing house
1 MIN READ

Casia Bromberg is leaving Bromberg's publishing house

Netflix is making a second Pokémon season
1 MIN READ

Netflix is making a second Pokémon season

These are the artists in "Allsång's" Christmas special
1 MIN READ

These are the artists in "Allsång's" Christmas special

This is how the married couples fare in the SVT series
3 MIN READ

This is how the married couples fare in the SVT series

Rod Stewart Slows Down
1 MIN READ

Rod Stewart Slows Down

Swede Snubbed for Prestigious Literary Prize
1 MIN READ

Swede Snubbed for Prestigious Literary Prize

"Duck" on tour with new solo show
1 MIN READ

"Duck" on tour with new solo show

Silver duct-taped banana sold for five million dollars
2 MIN READ

Silver duct-taped banana sold for five million dollars

Tommy Körberg returns in "Änglagård"
1 MIN READ

Tommy Körberg returns in "Änglagård"

Premiere for "Rust" – three years after the fatal shooting
2 MIN READ

Premiere for "Rust" – three years after the fatal shooting

Cultural Allocations Down to 2004 Levels
2 MIN READ

Cultural Allocations Down to 2004 Levels

Jonas Gardell's "Boarding House Oskar" Becomes a Play
1 MIN READ

Jonas Gardell's "Boarding House Oskar" Becomes a Play

The Bandmates Said Goodbye to Liam Payne
2 MIN READ

The Bandmates Said Goodbye to Liam Payne

This week's film and series – A spectacular robbery story
2 MIN READ

This week's film and series – A spectacular robbery story

Laleh celebrates 20 years - embarks on a major summer tour
1 MIN READ

Laleh celebrates 20 years - embarks on a major summer tour

"The Last Pill" – In-Depth on Anxiety and Pills
1 MIN READ

"The Last Pill" – In-Depth on Anxiety and Pills

Eurovision Song Contest Threatened by Referendum
3 MIN READ

Eurovision Song Contest Threatened by Referendum

René Magritte painting sold for billions
1 MIN READ

René Magritte painting sold for billions