Kåre Kivijärvi (born 23 April 1938 in Hammerfest - 20 November 1991) was a Norwegian photographer known for his photojournalistic work in Northern Norway. Kivijärvi was born into a Kven family and always professed a connection to his ethnic heritage and to Finland. After working as a photographer's apprentice in Finnmark Dagblad, he was in 1959 accepted at Folkwangschule für Gestaltung in Essen, Germany, where he studied with Otto Steinert. After having served in the Royal Norwegian Air Force as an aerial photographer, he accepted a position as staff photographer for Helsingin Sanomats weekly newsmagazine Viikkosanomat, which brought him on assignment to Greenland, the Soviet Union, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal. Kivijärvi's work was the first to be accepted by the main annual art exhibition in Norway, the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen). In this respect, it can be said that he contributed to establish photography as a distinct art form in Norway. Kivijärvi's photographic style is noted for its stark, sparse imagery. His photo essay on Laestadians in Northern Norway in 1962 is a noted example of this style, as are his depiction of desolate landscapes and harsh climates. References Eli Høydalsnes: Kåre Kivijärvi : fotografier; Bonytt, 2001 Flor, Harald "Klokt om Kivijärvi". Dagbladet, 28 December 2001. Løberg, Morten M. "Nordic Light hedrer Kåre Kivijärvi (1931-1991): 'Min verden er en annen'. Fotografi, 24 May 2007. External links Poem:"Homage to Kare Kivijarvi" by Scottish writer John Burnside, including "The Inspiration Behind the Poem", published by Scottish Arts Council Vintage prints: http://www.galleribalder.com/portfolio91752.html 1938 births 1991 deaths Kven people Royal Norwegian Air Force personnel Norwegian photographers Norwegian photojournalists People from Hammerfest Norwegian expatriates in Germany 20th-century Norwegian journalists