Per Mattisson

Untitled (from "Lagom") © Per Mattisson


Untitled (from "Lagom") © Per Mattisson


Untitled (from "Lagom") © Per Mattisson


Untitled (from "Lagom") © Per Mattisson


Untitled (from "Lagom") © Per Mattisson


Per Mattisson Graduated from University for the Creative Arts - Rochester in 2009 with BA (Hons) Photography


"Lagom"

"Lagom is Per Mattison’s first publication and explores social issues in
his native Sweden. He is a stranger in his own land, a Swede who has lived
outside his country and returns to it with the fresh perspective that this
combination of distance and intimate understanding can provide.

Lagom is a word difficult to translate into English that means roughly
‘just enough’ or “everything in moderation”. The word is part of the
national identity and colors Swedish attitudes.
It represents an ideal place where everything is as it should be, and
where the necessities of a good life are guaranteed. Nothing disturbs this
utopian status quo. Lagom prevents anyone from falling too far down the
social ladder. At the same time it frowns on anyone intent on climbing up.
As long as things are done in the Lagom way there is no need to worry
about extremes.
Despite recent international influences on economy and culture the deeply
imbedded value of Lagom still strongly manifests within the Swedes.

This sense of moderation has offered and delivered tangible benefits.
Applied by successive governments of Social Democrats through Sweden’s own
brand of ‘middle way’ socialism, it has contributed to the establishment
of a strong welfare state and the apparent eradication of social
injustice. On closer inspection however the dominance of this desire for
a shared normality has led to a subtle but steady erosion of an individual
sense of self and of a freedom of spirit."

See more here