Acclaimed and criticized photographer Elisabeth Ohlson Walllin opened her photo exhibition In Hate We Trust at Pride House, with select photographs from the exhibition. Ohlson Wallin did not leave anyone indifferent in 1998 with her break through exhition, Ecce Homo. The exhibition caused extensive debates within LGBT circles and was especially noted because of Ohlson Wallins brave creativity, incorporating influences from biblical baroque paintings, showing Jesus among homosexuals and transvestites. For her present exhibition she has been particularly inspired by the artists Artemisia Gentileschi and Caravaggio.
A sign on a pillar in the middle of the room says "The show is not recommended for children under the age of 12". Once again Ohlson Wallin stretches the boundaries by provoking and stirring up debate with her photographs - a reoccuring purpose of her art.
Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin, together with producer Hannah Gruffman, decided to create an exhibition that comments the verdict and later verdict of acqiuttal of Åke Green after his statement about homosexuality being a cancer tumour. In 2006, Ohlson Wallin reconstructed eight notable hate crimes committed around the world during that year. This was the starting shot for something much greater. The exhitibion received threats, most of them from the church.
- Christian conservatives reacted very strongly, Hannah Graffman says. They've followed us around the country, sent threatening letters, reported the exhibition to the authorities and tried to have the exhibition banned in all ways possible. But a lot of the people who sent threats havn't even seen the exhibition. We do not judge them, but rather the manner in which the Church has acted. As for example in Rome, when a lesbian leaving a lesbian bar was raped by two nazis. The Church's reaction was that she had herself to blame, visiting a place like that.
Another photograph that has attracted a lot of attention is "Mordhot" ("Death Threat"), where a gay priest has received a letter stating he will be murdered the next morning at 9 am.
- This photograph, Gruffman says, is a paraphrase of the murder of the revolutionary politician Marat (Jean Paul, editor's note). The letter also lists the licence number of the priest's car, showing that he is under close surveillance.
In Ohlson Wallin's photograph there is a mobile phone on the carpet under a sofa.
- The mobile phone symbolizes someting that is no longer possible, sending anonymous text messages. That is now prohibited by law, Gruffman continues.
Hanna Gruffman's description of the exhibiton has attracted a large crowd of keen listeners. She concludes by saying:
- Through this exhibition at Pride House we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the photographs. Thank you!
From July 24, Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin also displays her exhibition "King, Queen and Queer" at Armémuseet (The Army Museum).
In Hate We Trust is open daily during the Stockholm Pride festival between 11 am and 6 pm. You can visit the exhibition at Pride House, on the first floor of Kulturhuset (Zenit).