Gerry Johansson: Esker [signed]

Photographs from rural Johannishusåsen in Blekinge, Sweden


The photographs in "Esker" have their origins in a collaborative project between the architecture museum IUAV in Venice and Kulturcentrum Ronneby Konsthall in Sweden. The project was completed in 2016 and in 2017 and the whole project was exhibited in Ronneby Konsthall. The area depicted was very interesting with both ancient moods and contemporary relics. I have over the years returned to make more photographs. The photographs were made in 2016 to 2021.

Introduction text by archaeologist Björn Nilsson:
"Johannishusåsen has its pockets of time. The esker itself was formed during the end of the last Ice-Age 16,000 years ago. The many grave fields along the ridge together with the pastoral landscape and the old oaks creates a special atmosphere. In the last years archaeological excavations have revealed large settlements at Västra Vång, Blekinge, north of the manor of Johannishus. The settlement, two thousand years old and flourishing until the 11th century, is arranged around a hill. On the crest of this hill remarkable findings from the Iron Age were made. Large cauldrons of bronze, weapons, coins of silver and gold. Among these treasures rare golden figure foils, guldgubbar, stand out. Pictures of women and men, smaller than stamps, and made on the site. Used in rituals and ceremonies - at weddings, funerals and other important occasions, they sealed the agreements."