Erik Steffensen approaches nature in an entirely distinct manner in his photography. An unwavering observation of different landscapes serves as a testament to the concept of permanence versus impermanence—both in the photographic and existential realms. Travels throughout the world form his imagery, wherein familiar places at home or in Europe are seen alongside Greenland or Nepal. Regarded in the same tantamount manner, sled dogs, carp, and penguins all occupy the moment together with sweeping views of Tokyo, the Himalayas or World’s End. At times his work verges on painting, as he applies swaths of coloured oil to gelatin silver prints, further abstracting the darkness of silhouetted tree branches or the precipices of snowy mountain peaks. Flamingos, peacocks, and zebras nearly disappear in the murkiness.
Danish artist Erik Steffensen (1961, Copenhagen) lives and works in Copenhagen, Læsø and Vemmetofte. He studied Art History and Philosophy at University of Copenhagen (1983-86) and graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen (1992). He was Professor at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1998–2007). His work is in collections including ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj; ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Aarhus; Fotomuseum Winterthur, Winterthur; HEART – Herning Museum of Contemporary Art, Herning; Kristinehamns Konstmuseum, Kristinehamn; Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk; Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK), Copenhagen; among others.