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Eivind H. Natvig launches first UK solo exhibition

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Du Er Her No/You Are Here Now is the first UK solo exhibition by the Norwegian photographer Eivind H. Natvig, whose striking photographs represent his unique vision of his homeland, and reveal a country devoid of the familiar clichés (fantastic fjords and beautiful blondes). Instead, Natvig presents a country of darkness, humour, colour, and wild juxtapositions. He began shooting images of Norway back in 2007, not for assignments or images with commercial value, or even images with a distinct purpose, but as a visual relief. Photography made from a true joy in discovery of Home; a country he had barely visited. In 2011 it took over and he spent 12 months in a state of self-imposed homelessness on the road, taking in every nook and cranny of the native land he felt he had neglected for so long.

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You Are Here Now is the first UK solo exhibition by the Norwegian photographer Eivind H. Natvig, whose photographs represent his unique vision of his homeland

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The project was conceived by Natvig after six years of working abroad, when he returned home to a staff job on a small newspaper. He said of that time: “Pandora’s box was open. I had eight assignments throughout the country where there was 100% creative control. It was wonderful. I discovered that my countrymen are more welcoming than expected. This country which seemed so remote and so closed to me through all my years abroad was not that way at all.” Natvig’s job did not last long of course (his nomadic spirit wouldn't allow it), but a seed had been planted, and so began a period of living on the road. No strings, no ties; just a vast and endless Norway and a reliance on the kindness of strangers. Natvig travelled the length and breadth of his country, which after years of separation had the appeal of somewhere completely new.

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The project was conceived by Natvig after six years of working abroad, when he returned home to a staff job on a small newspaper

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The resulting images in Du Er Her No/You Are Here Now are hard to categorise, lingering somewhere in-between the genres of documentary and fine art. Known objects and situations are re-invented under Natvig’s insightful lens, showing us what we know, but in a way that we don't. They show figures in the snow, hands reaching through water, fish heads in blood-red water, the flight of birds at night and figures in the forest. It is an intimate take on a wonderful and strange society, even for a Norwegian.

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Natvig is an award-winning Norwegian photojournalist with years spent travelling the world telling stories with his camera

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Natvig is an award-winning Norwegian photojournalist with years spent travelling the world telling stories with his camera. For the past three years he has shifted toward documenting his native Norway through the project “You Are Here Now.” Natvig's work has been exhibited in numerous museums, festivals and galleries including the Trondheim Kunstmuseum and Perspective Museum, Norway. He is represented by MOMENT and Institute, who both helped him with the exhibition alongside Fritt Ord and the Norwegian Embassy, who supported the venture. Du Er Her No/You Are Here Now, is also captured in a book, which was published by Tartaruga in 2014. The book and limited set of two-colour screen prints will be on sale throughout the duration of the exhibition, which will be open each day at the Fish Bar on Dalston Lane from 11am to 6pm with the private viewing tonight (November 19) between 6.30 and 9.30pm.

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