Jo Straube (1983)
Freelance photographer
Based in Oslo, Norway
Jo Straube is a photographer based in Oslo, graduated from Oslo University College 2010, working on long term personal documentary projects and different kinds of assignments: from photographing reportages, to portraits for magazines and corporations, architecture or events, to exhibition production, from curating to practical solutions, as well as lecturing.
The book «The Norwegian Library», a photographic documentary on the Norwegian public library, was awarded the most beautiful book published in Norway 2017.
Several of my personal projects have dealt with democracy in varying condition. When I visited Iceland after the financial crisis, it was an exploration of the state of the until then admired country. When I was portraying people involved in and affected by Myanmar's democratic transition, it was in order to get a more nuanced impression of who are making the changes in the country, besides the famous Nobel prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi . The reason I have driven thousands of miles to visit hundreds of libraries all around Norway is because I wanted to document the condition of this democratic institution.
Work
Dagbladet Magasinet, Dagens Næringsliv, Bergens Tidende, New York Times/International Herald Tribune, Bloomberg Businessweek, Stern, The Verge, Politiken, D2, Verdens Gang (VG), Aftenposten, Magasinet Plot, Morgenbladet, 360 Magazine, Naturvernforbundet, Helsedirektoratet, Kommunalbanken, Veterinærinstituttet, Buskerud Bonde- og Småbrukarlag, Sosialistisk Venstreparti, Venstre, among others.
Education
Master's degree in Journalism, Oslo University College, 2017
Bachelor degree in Photojournalism, Oslo University College 2010
Internship in Bergens Tidende, 2009
Photography, Lofoten folkehøgskole, 2004-2006
Comparative politics, University of Bergen, 2003-2004
Philosophy and linguistics, University of Oslo, 2002
Books
«Det norske biblioteket» (”The Norwegian Library”), Bergen Kjøtt, 2017
Exhibitions
«The Norwegian Library», solo exhibition, Galleri Lille Kabelvåg, April 2018
«The Norwegian Library», Traveling exhibition, 2017-2019: Odda, Oslo, Sandnes, Trondheim, Ski, Kirkenes, Sandefjord, Lørenskog, Bergen, Tysvær, Ål, Bærum, Nesna
«Dreams of a democracy», permanent outdoor exhibition. Skrova, Lofoten (sops.no)
«Dreams of a democracy», november 2015, Oslo University
«Livsløp», group exhibition, Oslo 2013 and 2014
Group exhibition at Nordic Light 2010, Kristiansund
Group exhibition at Nordic Light 2009, Kristiansund
Foto8 Summershow 2008, London
Awards
Årets vakreste bok 2018: Årets vakreste bok + Årets vakreste foto/kunstbok (by Grafill).
Picture of the year Norway 2012, 2nd prize News
Picture of the year Norway 2010, 2nd prize Foreign Documentary with "Meltdown Iceland"
Picture of the year Norway 2009, 1st prize Daily Life in Norway
Gullkalven 2009: Diploma (photography)
Gullkalven 2008: Gold (ambient) and Silver (photography)