For three years, the photographer Mikael Jansson has documented Formula 1 racing all over the world: in Monaco, Bahrain, São Paulo and several of the 17 other tracks. He has captured the speed monsters and their death-defying drivers, accessing the restricted world of the depots and meeting the devoted punters.

The exhibition Speed of Life shows the whole gamut: the cars racing by, the clouds of exhaust fumes and rubber particles along the track, the swarms of sweaty mechanics and the lone, focused driver. The photographs are full of movement showing the speed and force that is released, but also moments of stillness reflected in the helmet visors.The bright surface shows the imprint of and references to fashion, advertising, commerce and glamour, as part of our contemporary popular culture. Behind the scene is a world of gladiators embodying the well-trained competitor, the male game and the instincts that impel the whole machinery year after year. Mikael Jansson’s photos are sharp observations of both sides, in exquisite, grubby, grainy images.

Mikael Jansson was born in Sweden. After working as an assistant to the internationally famous photographer Richard Avedon, he has come to be one of the most respected and sought-after fashion photographers today. His photos are published in all the major magazines, including Vogue, Numero, Dutch, Arena Hommes Plus and Big Magazine. He has shot campaigns for most leading labels, such as Gap, Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani. Mikael Jansson is represented in the collections of numerous museums and galleries all over the world and has portrayed celebrities ranging from the Swedish royal family to the giants of the music scene.