I don't know who I am, only where I'm from

Dates

2016 - Ongoing
Author

Mirjam Stenevik
Location Hordaland, Norway
Recognition

Main Prize Shortlist - PhMuseum 2020 Women Photographers Grant

This is an ongoing documentary project about growing up in a small community, in a deeply religious but loving family, on a windswept island off the west-coast of Norway. It's a story about a girl eventually moving further and further away from her family, desperate to distance herself from the place where she was born and raised. But more than anything, it's a personal journey of coming back, after years of therapy and living abroad, trying to look at the place with fresh eyes – without repressing the bad memories that comes with it. This is my attempt at embracing the inevitable fact that some things will forever be connected. Maybe I'll never know who I really am. But this is definitely where I'm from.

Mina is playing Guess Who at her grandparents' house. Every Wednesday is grandparent-day.

Almost two years after a polish worker slid on the ice and wrecked the bus stop, it's still waiting to be fixed.

© Mirjam Stenevik - Image from the I don't know who I am, only where I'm from photography project

Father and son take a break during a business meeting, seemingly unaware of the fact that they have dressed the exact same way today.

Somebody has put up easter decorations in Drøna, reflecting the wet weather.

Kirsten is making pancakes for her big family, during the annual easter egg hunt.

Fresh tulips have been picked to decorate the Africa-themed night, where friends and family have gathered to hear more about a recent volunteer trip. Donations and prayers are welcome.

Siblings Johannes and Mina look for their uncle, there are rumors of lobster and scallops for dinner.

A tired suitcase takes the old ferry one last time, before it's being replaced with a new electrical model.

Luca is laying beside some freshly tattooed dolls, courtesy of his big sister Olivia.

It's getting wetter and wilder - instead of having lots of white snow every winter, it has now been raining the last couple of years.

Markus have been in the nearest city, Bergen, to buy some diving equipment and school books. At the age of 20, he has decided to accept shares in the family business and continue to work on his father’s fishing boat.

Mina and a friend after school.

Another nightmare.

Rockefeller hasn’t been on water for many years, but nobody has the time to fix him.

Liam and his siblings doesn’t attend kindergarten, here they are playing hide and seek.

Christmas is long gone, but Santa is allowed to relax for a little longer. Seven bags of soil lay beside him, waiting for spring.

Karia is trying her best to shield her berries from hungry birds. It’s hard getting a good result, with the salty winds sweeping their land.

Oline is playing at home, she doesn't go to kindergarten, but is still really happy the summer holiday is here.

A friendly guard dog being nosy.

The view from my brother's house.

I don't know who I am, only where I'm from

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