In 2023, Swedish photographer Gerry Johansson explored the state of Maine with his trusted Rolleiflex, driven by curiosity to capture fresh images in a region he first encountered through Paul Strand’s photographs five decades ago. Back then, Johansson had dismissed Strand’s views of New England as “boring” and found himself questioning, “Why does American photography focus so heavily on the West?” Johansson’s Maine mirrors the understated elegance of his previous works, such as American Winter, Spanish Summer, Meloni Meloni, and Pontiac. The book organizes nearly 200 black-and-white duotone photographs alphabetically, guided by the evocative and sometimes whimsical names of northeastern towns—Bath, Friendship, Purgatory, and more.
True to Johansson’s style, no single image stands out above the rest; instead, they collectively form a harmonious whole. His flawless, playful compositions avoid repetition, showcasing an endless inventiveness in how he frames architecture and landscapes. Through his lens, Johansson orients the viewer in a specific cultural and geographic context while inviting them to share in his reflective process of wandering and observing.