Harald and Mathias Ramen lived together on their family farm in Norway. Always. Initially there were the parents too and their older siblings. Not anymore.
Elin Høyland‘s photo book documents the life of these two brothers and a way of life that is lost. There is a certain austerity in these photos, a certain northern feel and a heartbreaking last image that changes the perspective on everything.
They lived life simple, working on the farm, walking weekly to a supermarket for supplies and spending their free time listening to the radio and reading the local newspaper. They once got a TV but returned it after a month because it was taking too much of their time. I know that feeling.
What I don’t know is what it’s like to have a brother. But I do know what it’s like to have someone who matters so much. To me, the series works as a reminder of how short life is and how important our close ones really are.
This last photo was taken after Herald died. He had an asthma attack while shoveling snow in -20C temperatures. Mathias continued to live alone in the house until he moved into an old people’s home.
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