On Borrowed Time

In his first book photographer Henrik Malmström (b. 1983) presents a quiet and touching photo essay of his sister Maija’s last months of struggle with cancer.
The foreword is written by Jörn Donner, best known internationally as the producer of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece Fanny and Alexander.
In this personal and sensitive narrative Malmström focuses on intimate moments, and on the atmospheres and sentiments that arise when facing death.
In the summer of 1999 my older sister Maija was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, only 20 years old. Her prognosis was not good.
With the help of different treatments and a strong will she was able to extend and periodically enjoy her life.
In November 2007 Maija was hospitalized again.
This is when I started to document her and the rest of my family in hospitals and at home. The following months where to be her last, for she passed away at home in April 2008.
There was a need for documenting feelings and happenings in front of me.During the years I hade seen Maija´s course, her ups and downs.
Somehow I understood that these were the last moments. In a difficult family situation different roles are adopted and photographing was a natural way of being close to Maija.Photographing is a way of dealing with reality and feelings.”