MEERI KOUTANIEMI 8:30 Klemetti

Koutaniemi's work extends to over 40 countries where she has photographed and otherwise documented people with powerful stories of struggle and resilience. Her work stems from the question and definition of identity. She is fascinated by the complexity and possibilities of humanity, and finds purpose in the similarity of people's hopes and fears. At the core of her work lies a universal ability for empowerment and persistence.

In 2012 and 2013 Koutaniemi was selected as the Photographer of the Year in Finland and won the category of Foreign Reportage with her photo series Taken of female circumcision. In 2012 Koutaniemi received the Memorial Award of Tim Hetherington in United States and the Memorial Award of Carina Appel in Finland 2013.

Koutaniemi has exhibited her photos in over 40 exhibitions around the world and her first book Oasis was published in Finland in 2013. In 2014 Koutaniemi won the Visa D'or Daily Press Award in Perpignan and FreeLens Award in Lumix Photofestival in Hannover. Koutaniemi was selected to participate to Joop Swart and VII Masterclass in 2014.