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Knotan

Knotan is powerful.

First time I saw his photographs I found a unique and special power behind, composed by striking result. Well, his name actually means the bone of any part of the body when is visible under the skin.

When I met him, he told me – “Victor, is not that I woke up this morning and decided that my artistic name is going to be Knotan, it´s just the name which everyone called me from my childhood due my skinny proportions then so I just I grew up with that”.

He was born in 1973, he has a particular background as a fashion photographer, trained as a welder, he quickly grew to dislike a series of dreary jobs and ended up taking the decision to attend photography school. Since then he has turned in one of the favorite Scandinavian photographers for many ones.

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MeMeMe © Knotan

Originally hailing from Örnsköldsvik in the north of Sweden, these days Knotan lives and works in Stockholm. If his photo style begins to look familiar to you, it’s probably because you recognize his earthy approach from publicity shots for T-Post, J. Lindeberg, Cheapo, CTRL or music bands such as The Strokes, The Hives, Annie, The Kills, among many others.

When asked about his style, Knotan succinctly replied; “They are honest. They are real. They are my life.” Judging from his work, we don’t doubt this and his shots certainly make a refreshing change from the current Swedish school of photography seen so often in advertising.

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© Knotan

His routine includes work for different countries in different parts. But probably what he enjoys most is think about his own exhibitions where to release the most raw and honest Knotan side.

His work has been recently in the heart of SoFo, that trendy area by the southern island of Stockholm, in Södermalm. “MeMeMe” is an exhibition focused in himself. But don´t get confused, he is well known to be one of the kindest guys in town… and abroad. Just in the last year he has been invited to exhibit and work in London, Saint Petersburg, Amsterdam or Helsinki. During these years, he is been working pretty enough to build a background that starts to consolidate him as one of the most important photographers in Scandinavia.

Knotan is a guy very good natured that can be the happiest man on earth being next to the people he loves, a skateboard and time to relax in a Scandinavian sauna if is available.

We got the chance to talk a bit more about it.


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© Knotan

Although I know you feel more comfortable step out of advertisement business. How it being within such experience so far?

I think with the internet everything is global. But its kind of fun knowing the things you do will appear all over the world. I think that everyone knows when you're doing commercial work it's always someone that you have to please and "cant do your thing"


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© Knotan


What is your opinion about the communication and editorial landscape in Sweden/Stockholm/Scandinavia?

I don't compare. I have from the beginning been working towards other countries and other magazines that has something more than how you should look right now and who is hot or not.


Some magazine from Scandinavia you now could highlight?

S Magazine (Denmark).


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© Knotan


Which other cities are you feeling inspired for. It can be because your own experience already or because you are just in the mood for it.

Helsinki, Amsterdam, Berlin. I really like places when I get to know them, not just visit a town or place for a weekend, so I like to return to places and discover them.


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© Knotan


Focused about photography. Which are your most valorous influences? Few works you really like you can tell us.

I can't exactly put the finger on who or what i get inspired by. I think its more faces and expressions and of course the unexpected.
I have so many and its not just photographers. it could be musicians or artists so I will not mention just a few.


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© Knotan


About “MeMeMe” and other things in your mind.

I did this exhibition at SteinslandBerliner Gallery here in Stockholm called MeMeMe.
Now I send the book “Master Chair” to the printing-house. Its gonna be a release on the 25th of June.


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© Knotan


You are always moving forward and people from different parts of the world call you to participate within different projects. More exhibitions abroad, next projects?

More of everything!


I know you are represented for a fantastic agency, New Blood. What can you tell us about it? What is in your opinion the great thing of work under a small but truly focused-on-you-work agency or be part of such as big rooster of a multinational one?

You just said it! Fantastic! Of course it's the best when they look for your interests and were you are going with your photography.


Musicians is a strong side of your work. Is anything in the fact of working with musicians that in particular you like most?

I love music and have a lot of friends that play in bands so it has come quite natural to me.


What are you currently listen to?

Wreckless Eric.


Knotan is represented by New Blood Agency all over the world. A magnificent agency originally based in Malmö that recently moved to Stockholm. They really have the touch and sense necessary and its rooster includes also others great photographers.


Text: Victor Moreno

Have a look at "Shift city guide stockholm" for your information guide of stockholm.
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