Inuuteq Storch, GL

Kalaallit artist Inuuteq Storch (GL, b. 1989) grew up in Sisimiut, the second largest city in Kalaallit Nunaat, nestled on the west coast, home to approximately 5,000 residents, where he continues to reside and work.

Like numerous contemporary Kalaallit artists, Storch pursued studies both in Denmark and abroad, notably at Fatamorgana, The Danish School of Art Photography in Copenhagen and the International Center of Photography in New York. His photography captures contemporary Kalaallit identity and everyday life through a style that is snapshot-like and intuitive, raw and poetic, playful and humorous, fleeting and physical. The physical dimension is also present in Storch’s creative process, as he predominantly works with analogue photography. He embraces images with varied materiality, including grainy, overexposed or even damaged photographs, which allows the materiality of the picture to contribute to its meaning alongside the subject.

Unlike many photographers who prioritise technical perfection and sophisticated camera equipment, Storch’s focus lies elsewhere. Notably, he primarily uses cameras received as gifts or acquired from family and close friends. This personalised and intuitive approach underscores the deeply personal connection he has with photography.Storch’s preferred format is the photobook, with its potential for creating narrative structures through sequencing, rhythm and pauses. Serving as an accessible means of distribution, the photobook offers an alternative artistic platform beyond the confines of the exclusive art gallery and museum world. Its accessibility provides avenues for broader visibility, message dissemination and engagement with diverse audiences, fostering a communicative and democratic approach that aligns with decolonial practices, particularly in regions with limited art scenes.

In the realm of decoloniality and non-coloniality, artists like Inuuteq Storch operate within a pluralistic field that is not defined by or tethered to colonialism. However, the colonial past and the intricate history of the relationship between Kalaallit Nunaat and Denmark remain pertinent to Storch’s photographic art and the broader context of Kalaallit culture, everyday life and politics in which his work is embedded.