Martina Holmberg

Martina is an internationally rewarded freelance photographer and writer, born and based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Martina has traveled extensively, working with various aid organizations and on freelance assignments to portray people’s living conditions worldwide. For many years, women’s diverse living conditions have been a central theme in Martina’s work. She also finds deep inspiration in subtly capturing a mood or inner state, conveying emotions often left unspoken. Over the years, she has published more than ten books, and her work has been exhibited, awarded, and published internationally.

We are proud to have a few selected artworks from “Fade to Black” with only 1-2 copies left in the limited edition.

EDUCATION
2024 Långholmen Writers' School – Project Course
2023 Berghs School of Communication, Stockholm – Graphic Design
2021 Poppius School of Journalism, Stockholm – Reporting Course
2014 Poppius School of Journalism, Stockholm – Basic Course in Journalism
2002–2005 Nordic School of Photography, Biskops Arnö – Photojournalism, 120 credits

REPRESENTED
Gallery Axel, Swedish Public Art Association (SAK), Region Skåne, Region Örebro County

GRANTS AND AWARDS
2024 Hierta Fund (Swedish Union of Journalists)
2024 LensCulture – Black & White Awards – Third Prize
2024 International Photography Awards – Third Prize, four Honorable Mentions
2024 Life Framer, Portraits – Nominated
2024 reFocus Awards – Third Prize, two nominations
2024 Life Framer, The Human Body – First Prize
2024 AAP Magazine 40 Portrait – Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Awards, Searching for Peace – Third Prize
2024 British Journal of Photography, Portrait of Humanity – Nominated
2024 The Independent Photographer Awards – Editor's Pick
2024 All About Photo Awards – Honorable Mention
2024 LensCulture Portrait Awards 2024 – Finalist
2024 Fine Art Photography Awards – Six Nominations
2024 Julia Margaret Cameron Award – First Prize, Fine Art Category
2024 Grey Cube Gallery – Finalist
2024 Tokyo International Foto Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 Helge Ax

Johnson Foundation
2023 Swedish Arts Council – Literature Grant
2023 Swedish Arts Grants Committee – Travel Grant
2023 New York Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 AAP Magazine 35 Colors – Honorable Mention
2023 International Photography Awards – First Prize / Film, Fine Art
2023 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 Fine Art Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 The Independent Photographer – First Prize, Black & White Award
2022 Swedish Author Fund – Travel Grant
2022 Wendela Prize – Honorable Mention
2022 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2021 Swedish Author Fund – Three-Year Work Grant
2021 Swedish Photographers Association – Grez-Sur-Loing Scholarship
2021 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2020 Swedish Arts Grants Committee – One-Year Work Grant
2020 SIDA Scholarship (Swedish Union of Journalists)
2020 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2020 Sony World Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2019 Swedish Arts Grants Committee – Travel Grant
2018 Swedish Author Fund – Travel Grant
2018 Swedish Arts Grants Committee – Travel Grant
2016 Swedish Author Fund – One-Year Work Grant
2012 Swedish Author Fund – One-Year Work Grant
2012 Swedish Photographers Association – Kavalla Scholarship
2012 PP Pension Photo Competition – Winner
2005 Pressens Bilds Grand Photo Prize – Nominated

BOOKS
2024 Conundrum (Self-Published)
2024 Konsnäckan (Self-Published)
2022 Qaanaaq – Voices from a Village (Verbal Publishing)
2022 A Bird Lives in My Ear (Ekström & Garay)
2021 In a WoMAN’s World (Verbal Publishing)
2021 Väsen (Self-Published)
2020 Mayfly (Self-Published)
2016 Hanseman (Lux Publishing)
2012 Fade to Black (Lux Publishing)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Collected Works, Österlen Photo Center, Smedstorp
2023 Konsnäckan, Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2022 In a WoMAN’s World, Abecita Pop Art & Photo, Borås
2021 In a WoMAN’s World, Gallery Kontrast, Stockholm
2020 Mayfly, Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2019 Voices from a Bus – Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2016 Hanseman, Neva Books, Rimforsa
2016 Hanseman, Gallery Axel, Stockholm
2013 Fade to Black, Neva Books, Rimforsa
2012 Fade to Black, Gallery KG 52, Stockholm
2012 Fade to Black, Gallery Axel, Stockholm
2012 Fade to Black, Black Door Gallery, Örebro

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Fade to Black, Hishult Art Hall, Halmstad
2021 Fade to Black, Rikstolvan, Simrishamn
2017 Hanseman, Planket, Stockholm
2014 Emiliana Laura, Planket, Stockholm
2013 Pinhole & Toy, Neva Books, Rimforsa
2012 Fade to Black, Sven Harry’s Art Museum, Stockholm

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2024 Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 photobook – British Journal of Photography
2024 Life Framer – Interview in Life Framer
2024 Conundrum – Interview in All About Photo
2023 Talents of the Year – The Independent Photographer
2023 AAP Magazine #35: Colors
2023 Fade to Black – Interview in All About Photo

Selected Art at The Public