The Hunter from Ittoqqortoormiit

In his fourth publication at Kehrer Verlag, Icelandic photographer Ragnar Axelsson presents a poignant visual narrative of a vanishing way of life in one of the world's most remote settlements. Over a span of thirty-five years, Axelsson has documented the life of Hjelmer Hammeken, a hunter from Ittoqqortoormiit, a village nestled by the vast Kangertittivaq fjord in East Greenland.
Through evocative black-and-white photographs, Axelsson captures the enduring traditions of Arctic hunters, their deep connection to the land, and the stark realities they face amid changing times. The images reflect the resilience of a community where hunting is not just a livelihood but a way of life, now challenged by isolation, climate change, and socio-economic shifts.
Axelsson's work has been internationally recognized, including honors from the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and the Prix Pictet.