“As the image fades” is the title of a photography exhibition by Jón Helga Pálmason, where he reflects on the subject of memories while exploring the intricate emotions behind their creation.

Memories are complex, and many elements come into play when considering them. While certain things stick vividly in the memory, other events are easily forgotten. We appear to have no say in the matter either. We go on living, and new memories are made every day while others are lost. What happens to all those forgotten memories? And do they matter?

In his exhibition, Jón Helgi combines images from the past with his own personal photographs offering visitors an insight into how he visualises his memories. In other words, what he sees when he closes his eyes. With each blink, another memory, or an image of one, is formed. “As I close my eyes, I see the smiling face of my grandmother sitting in her good old armchair knitting yet another woolly jumper... I recall snow racing towards the windscreen at 90 kilometres in the darkness of night; by my side is my father; we can see no further than the next snow pole….”