Johan Rönnow: A Part of Sweden

Outside Sweden’s major cities, right-wing parties have a strong grip. Yet it is precisely there, in the small towns, that people flock to the local Chinese restaurant for beef with bamboo shoots and beer. Or buy a greasy kebab pizza to ease the hangover. There is even a joke: the more pizzerias, the more out in the sticks you are. For the Swedish countryside relies on immigration to be able to eat its fill. At the same time, they cling to symbols of true “Swedishness”—EPA gatherings, dance band festivals, camping at Österlen’s Hawaii. Two worlds side by side that rarely meet on equal terms. And the larger question remains: what is actually Swedish?

Johan Rönnow lives in Malmö and works as a photographer. He has been an admirer of photography since his teenage years when he was surrounded by visual impressions from the skateboard and punk scenes. His interest in music led him to work primarily with musicians, creating album covers, portraits, tour posters, and documenting their lives. Johan photographs with a curiosity about people, peculiarities, and the madness of everyday life.

Digital artist talk will take place via Centrum för fotografi’s Instagram on Friday, March 20 at 13:00

johanronnow.com

@johanronnow