Charlie Hay, an artist from Orrmo, Lillhärdal, received the award for a project he has worked on for many years. His book features printed images with a subdued visual language and includes two texts on the theme of suicide, one written by Hay and the other by psychologist Vincent Stephen. The jury's motivation stated that Hay tackles a complex subject without being exploitative when photographing places where suicides have occurred.
According to SVT Jämtlandsnytt, Charlie Hay described the work as not a romanticization but a way to foster understanding, aiming to open up dialogue around suicide beyond one-sided opinions. Looking ahead, Hay plans to exhibit 'No One Left to Blame', complete the project 'Va fan vet dom om kärlek' with his wife Dagny Hay, and work on 'Vildarna' with images from Lillhärdal. He is also moving soon from Orrmo, Lillhärdal to Telemark in Norway.
With an unpretentious format, Charlie Hay tackles a complex subject without being exploitative when photographing places where suicides have occurred.
The specific criteria used by the jury to select his book and the number of entries submitted for the prize remain unclear, as do the exact release date of his book and the detailed themes of his future projects. The reason for his relocation to Norway has not been disclosed.
It is not a romanticization, but a way to work with understanding in a way. I think that when it comes to suicide, there is a lot of one-sided opinion and very direct thoughts about the person who has committed suicide. So I want to open up for more understanding around the theme and that one can talk about it.