Sari Sandberg is a professional photographer from Rovaniemi, Finland, with a passion for the arctic nature of Lapland. She loves wandering in nature and capturing its beauty, especially during polar nights and in snowy winter landscapes. The natural elements she photographs are works of art themselves, often transformed into miniature landscapes that blend mysticism and minimalism.

Sandberg is inspired by the play of light and shadow in portrait photography. She undertakes long-term photography projects to address social issues or phenomena, drawing subjects from her own life. One such project, “Then When,” documents her stepfather, who is in home care. He, like many small entrepreneurs, postponed his dreams, saying, “Then when I’m retired.” However, retirement brought illness and unfulfilled dreams.

Sandberg’s ongoing project, “Anemia – Let Me Breathe,” is a personal documentary about living with anemia. In this project, she uses mixed techniques to further process the photographs. The exhibition also includes raku ceramic works, adding another dimension to the series.

With the advent of AI, Sari Sandberg has rekindled her interest in old photography techniques. Analog photography now complements her digital work, and the slow process of the darkroom provides a refreshing counterbalance to today’s rapid image flow. Sandberg blends photography with mixed techniques such as traditional painting and the use of natural materials and textiles. In the future, she aims to explore the combination of different art forms even further, investigating whether a photograph can become a dance performance or media art, and experimenting with video art.

Sandberg has lived in Sweden for five years, where she studied for 1.5 years at Sunderby Art School and worked at the art gallery of the Luleå Cultural Center. She earned a professional diploma in photography from Lappia Vocational College. Currently, she is studying to become a visual artist at the Lapland University of Applied Sciences, focusing on digital art while working part-time as a visual arts assistant. Additionally, she has studied project management and leadership in the arts at the University of the Arts Helsinki, which is beneficial for her roles as a board member of the Finnish Camera Association and a representative for Finland on the board of the Nordic Association of Photography.

Sandberg’s first solo exhibition was at Havremagasinen at Cafe Pampa in Boden, Sweden. Since then, she has prepared for and held multiple solo exhibitions. Her work has been selected for several group exhibitions in both Finland and Sweden.