At MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas 2026, Stockholm‑based WILLAS contemporary presents recent analogue works by acclaimed photographer Jimmy Nelson (NL). These works continue Nelson’s exploration of humanity and identity — the core themes defining his practice. In the era of AI, these works mark an intentional return to the origins of image‑making. Nelson’s work embodies metamorphosis not through rupture but through continuity: tradition is not frozen in time but carried forward, reshaped by the present while remaining anchored in collective memory.

Nelson’s presentation aligns seamlessly with the fair’s mission to celebrate the image as a complex creative process. His commitment to analogue photography underscores the value of human authorship amid blurring boundaries between human and machine‑made imagery. Each photograph, captured with a 10x8 analogue camera using only patience and ambient light, becomes an artefact of intent, balancing control with chance. In some compositions, multiple exposures emerge organically, embracing serendipity and revealing the uncontrollable beauty of analogue practice. The result radiates tension between precision and unpredictability, inviting reflection on visual culture’s evolution.

Nelson has longstanding ties to Italy and Milan, with past presentations including the celebrated solo exhibition Humanity at Palazzo Reale and a site‑specific installation at Portrait Hotel Milano. He returns to unveil recent analogue photographs from worldwide communities, from The Netherlands, Khazakstan, Sudan and Pakistan, celebrating shared cultural heritage through collaborations built on trust and mutual authorship.

Following a successful debut at MIA Photo Fair 2025—where WILLAS contemporary represented the winner of the BNL BNP Paribas Prize*) and was awarded the first Casa Museo Molinario Colombari Award (Dialoghi Visivi) — the gallery returns for its second consecutive year, March 19 - 22, 2026. This presentation of Nelson’s new body of work reaffirms its dedication to photography defined by authenticity and craftsmanship.

*) Serafina at Table, Fiji, 2023 from Sink Rise, Chapter Three of The Day May Break by Nick Brandt)

for more info:
www.willas.com