Astrid Photograph

Born in 1986 in a small town of Ekenäs, near Helsinki, the artist has always been drawn towards art, since his early age. He studied Graphic design and Visual Art in the city of Porvoo. The turning point of his artistic direction was during his service in the Finnish Marines in 2008, when he became fascinated with the art of photography. As a self-taught photographer, he experiments with exposure, camera movement and other effects that could give the painterly feel to an image. His work is primary influenced by the art of Charles Swedlund, Harry Callahan and the famous Man Ray – their clever and inspiring multiple exposures introduced Relander to the indicated technique that opened possibilities to him as an artist. Relander’s images were featured in solo and group exhibitions held in Finland, Russia, Norway, Portugal and the United States. His art has been rewarded with the Silver Award for the Cream Midlands Best Photography Prize, and furthermore, he has received two gold rewards from IPA under still life in 2017 and from PX3 under landscapes in 2016. Relander's works have been published in notable publications and websites globally such as The Guardian's Observer, LA Times, , Huffington Post, China Daily, Colossal, Juxtapoz and VICE.