The Two of Us exhibition is composed of 200 photographs by Pentti Sammallahti that focus on shared, transient moments between two living beings. The theme of duality, of pairing up — and companionship in all its forms — is repeated in the images. Whether the scene involves two lovers embracing, some children at play, or a couple of dogs reposing, Sammallahti's photographs speak of devotion, tenderness, and emotional bonds — of coexisting with all other life forms together in this world. The natural world is stitched into everyday human life seamlessly in these photographs.
The exhibition features works photographed by Sammallahde from around the world from 1964–2022. The pictures are characterized by simultaneous seriousness, gentle humor and longing.
Pentti Sammallahti (born 1950) started his career in the early 1960s. He is one of the first Finnish photographers who has made his life’s work as a photographic artist. Sammallahti is one of the most internationally recognized Finnish photographers and has been awarded an honorary doctorate of arts many times. He has also had a long career as a photography teacher at the University of Applied Arts in the years 1974–1991, and published 25 photography art books and photo portfolios. He has developed different photo proofing methods and printing methods.
Sammallahte’s photos exude the skill of composition and darkroom work. All the works in the exhibition are silver gelatin prints and large-sized digital pigment prints made by Sammallahde himself, printed in the darkroom.
