Introduction

The Helsinki Photo Biennial (HPB) is a significant international photography event held in Finland's capital city. Launched in 2008 by the Union of Artist Photographers, the biennial showcases contemporary photography from both Finnish and international artists across multiple venues in Helsinki.

The biennial has evolved to become a vital platform for contemporary photography in the Nordic region, encompassing a broader range of photographic and lens-based media. Through exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and educational programs, HPB explores current themes and innovations in photographic practice while creating meaningful connections between diverse artistic communities.

Narrative & Themes

Each edition of the Helsinki Photo Biennial is organized around a central theme that reflects current social, political, or artistic concerns. Recent biennials have explored topics such as environmental crisis, memory and archive, post-digital photography, and the evolving nature of documentary practice in an era of image saturation and manipulation.

The 2025 edition, titled "Photography in the Anthropocene," will examine the role of lens-based media in documenting, interpreting, and responding to the profound environmental changes of our time. The biennial will bring together artists whose work engages with climate crisis, extinction, human intervention in natural systems, and alternative visions of ecological futures.

HPB consistently emphasizes critical perspectives that challenge conventional understandings of photography. By bringing together diverse approaches—from traditional documentary to experimental image-making, installation, and digital media—the biennial creates a space for dialogue about the medium's evolving possibilities and responsibilities in addressing urgent contemporary issues.

History & Context

The Helsinki Photo Biennial was established in 2008 as a response to the need for a major international photography event in Finland. Founded by the Union of Artist Photographers, the biennial aimed to create a platform for dialogue between Finnish photographers and the international photography community while raising the profile of lens-based art in the region.

Over the years, HPB has grown from a modest initiative to a significant cultural event that attracts visitors from across Europe and beyond. The biennial has played an important role in the development of Finland's vibrant photography scene and has contributed to Helsinki's reputation as a center for contemporary art in the Nordic region.

Featured Photographers

The Helsinki Photo Biennial showcases work by established and emerging photographers from Finland, the Nordic region, and around the world. Each edition presents a diverse range of artistic approaches, from documentary and landscape photography to conceptual projects, experimental techniques, and multi-channel installations.

Sanna Kannisto

Finnish photographer whose work explores the intersection of art, science, and nature through carefully staged studio images of plants and animals.

Jaakko Kahilaniemi

Finnish artist working with conceptual photography to examine humanity's relationship with the natural environment through abstract visual strategies.

Kaisa Rautaheimo

Documentary photographer focusing on social and environmental issues in the Nordic region through long-term projects combining portraits and landscapes.

Exhibition Venues

The Helsinki Photo Biennial takes place across multiple venues throughout Helsinki, including established institutions, gallery spaces, and alternative locations. This distributed approach encourages exploration of the city and creates diverse contexts for experiencing contemporary photography.

Key venues include the Finnish Museum of Photography, Helsinki Art Museum (HAM), Kunsthalle Helsinki, and Aalto University Exhibition Centre. The biennial also extends into public spaces through outdoor installations, projections, and site-specific interventions that bring photography into dialogue with Helsinki's urban landscape.

Each edition of HPB includes a central exhibition that articulates the biennial's thematic focus, complemented by satellite shows, solo presentations, and collaborative projects. The biennial provides comprehensive maps and guides to help visitors navigate between venues, often creating thematic routes that highlight connections between different exhibitions.