Pentti Sammallahti

The Two of Us

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 showcases Sammallahti's photographs from around the globe during 1964–2022. They all contain a unique mixture of solemnity, kind humor, and yearning.

Pentti Sammallahti (b. 1950) began his career in the early  1960 s. He was one of the first Finnish photographers who made a lifelong career out of art photography. Sammallahti is one of the most widely acknowledged Finnish photographers internationally. He has been awarded several times and has the title of honorary doctor of arts. He also had a long-standing career as a teacher of photography in the University of Art and Design in 1974–1991, published 25 art photography books and portfolios, and developed new methods for printing and copying photographs.

Sammallahti's photographs exude a high skill in composition and darkroom work. All the artworks in the exhibition are hand made by Sammallahti, silver gelatin prints and large-scale digital pigment prints.

The exhibition has received a state grant from the Finnish Heritage Agency.