Swedish photographer Lars Thunbjerk's exhibition "The beautiful in the ugly and the ugly in the seemingly beautiful" at the Art Station "Dubulti"

Swedish photographer Lars Thunbjörk (1956–2015) photographed the world around him in a distinctly personal style. Having started his career as a photojournalist for a local newspaper in his hometown of Buros in the 1970s, he soon became a prominent freelance photographer. Around 1990, his handwriting became stronger: bright colors, drastic humor and the kind of everyday depiction that borders on the strange and surreal.

Lars Thunbjörk finds many of the subjects of his photographs in the periphery, in places such as discount stores, highways, parking lots and camper parks. Often the people he met and portrayed look a bit awkward and lost. At first glance, Lars Thunbjörk's photographs may seem ironic or even cynical, but they are based on empathy and identification with the characters of the images.

The exhibition at the Art Station "Dubulti" marks Lars Tūnbjærk's long relationship with Latvia. Latvian Museum of Photography in Riga presented his personal exhibition already in 1997. Lars Tūnbjörks visited Latvia several times and became friends with Latvian colleagues, including Inta Rukas and Andrejs Grants. Lars Thunbjörk visited both the cities and the countryside.

The exhibition has three parts: Latvia (1996), I love Borås! (1988–1995) and The Office (1994–1999). Viewed together, these three series of photographs - all from roughly the same era - reflect Lars Thünbjörk's unique style of photography and emphasize the emotional impact of his images.

The curators of the exhibition are Inga Šteimane, Love Jonsons and Moda Nikandere.

Dubulti Art Station is the only professional exhibition hall in Europe located in a functioning railway station. It has been operating since 2015 and gives a new dimension to the 20th century. For a modernist architectural building of the 1970s. Art station Dubulti creates personal exhibitions of the best Latvian artists and international projects, emphasizing the dialogue between the work of art and the viewer. Art scientist Inga Šteimane is the founder and manager of Dubulti art station.

The exhibition is supported by the Jūrmala State City Administration and the State Culture Capital Fund, the Swedish Embassy, ​​the Swedish-Latvian Cooperation Fund, the Lars Tūnbjerk Foundation, the Tore G Wärenstam Foundation and Fabriken Bästekille.

The exhibition is open every day until January 26 from 9.00 until 17.30.

Entrance is free.