The 1997 Hasselblad Award citation recognized Ture Christer Strömholm as the first photographer in the post-war era to achieve significant international standing. Born in Vaxholm in 1918, he developed a career defined by intimate black-and-white portraiture and pedagogical leadership, ultimately influencing multiple generations of Scandinavian artists through his role as an educator and director of his own photography academy.
Early Political Activity and Artistic Beginnings
During his youth, Strömholm participated in the Nazi Nordic Youth movement, where he led a local cell and displayed a swastika flag at the People's House in Stockholm in 1936. By 1938, his activities with young radicals involved the theft of membership lists from the Clarté socialist organization, leading to a conditional labor sentence. His artistic education began in 1937 in Dresden under painter Woldemar Winkler, though he later held conflicts with Bauhaus figures including Paul Klee.
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Following the conclusion of global hostilities in 1945, Strömholm provided shelter to individuals who had served as volunteers in the Waffen-SS, resulting in a court conviction. Despite these legal complications, his creative focus shifted toward subjective photography. He joined Otto Steinert's Fotoform group and began establishing his reputation as a painter, draftsperson, and photographer. He also supported the Norwegian resistance movement during the war period.
The Place Blanche Series
Strömholm achieved particular note for his documentation of transsexual women living in the Place Blanche area of Paris during the 1950s and 1960s. These portraits were published under the title Les amies de Place Blanche, a body of work that has since become the subject of historical analysis regarding identity, self-narrative, and societal views. The series remains a central component of his legacy, representing his focus on marginalized subjects.
Founding Fotoskolan and Later Recognition
In 1962, he co-founded the Fotoskolan academy in Stockholm, serving as its director. The institution fostered the development of notable practitioners including Anders Petersen, Bille August, Gunnar Smoliansky, Björn Dawidsson, and Anna Asp. Beyond his teaching, he published numerous books, such as Poste Restante and Kloka ord. He passed away in Stockholm in 2002, leaving behind an extensive archive managed by his estate.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Vaxholm
- Died: 2002, Stockholm
- Occupations: photographer, painter, director, draftsperson
- Hasselblad Award: 1997
- Key work: Les amies de Place Blanche
- Photography group: Fotoform
- Citizenship: Sweden
Questions readers ask
What is the subject matter of Les amies de Place Blanche?
The work features black-and-white portraits of transsexual women residing in the Place Blanche area of Paris during the 1950s and 1960s.
Did Strömholm teach other photographers?
Yes, as the director of the Fotoskolan academy in Stockholm, he taught notable figures such as Anders Petersen, Bille August, and Gunnar Smoliansky.
