Given the opportunity to tell his story freely, this is how Christoffer himself describes his artistic journey:
‘My first real interest in art was street art. Local street art piqued my interest and soon I found magazines and books about street art from all over the world. After my studies at Porvoo School of Art and Design, I served in the military in 2008 where I became a graphic designer and photographer for the magazine Fanbäraren. Before that, I was fully focused on painting, illustration and design but then discovered photography which opened my eyes to a new direction. I have used skills from my previous interests and created a visual language that I feel comfortable with.
My artistic style is surreal, timeless and poetic. I also have a penchant for sepia, a monotone and minimalist colour palette that leaves more room for the imagination. Since 2010, the theme of man and nature has recurred in my personal projects. Like many photographers, I also work with video, which is readily available thanks to today's technology and not so far from still photography.
Combining creativity with commissioned work is not always easy. I try to find a balance and work as structured as possible. It's not so that structure comes naturally to me, I need to make an effort and I'm aware of it, that's why it works. I've realized that I need to value my own projects as much as the commissioned work, and that also requires planning. I do very little marketing; I rely on the visibility I get in the media when I launch new personal projects. Some buy limited editions, while others want customized solutions for advertising or charity campaigns using my imagery, for example.
Artists and media creators face an uncertain future with AI developing faster than anyone could have predicted. I believe that, not least for this reason, it is important not to put all your eggs in one basket - reaching multiple audiences without compromising artistic expression can be a challenge.
I have been fortunate to receive some international recognition, which has led to an increased interest in my art abroad. In the US, for example, collectors and customers are willing to pay more than in Finland. Without them, I would not be able to work as a full-time artist.
I find Konstrundan inspiring and a nice social programme. Therefore, some years I prefer to be a visitor to local artists, which means that I do not participate as an artist every year. As I am still quite new to Åland, Konstrundan has helped me get to know new people and expand my network on the island.’