The first monograph by Swedish-Greek-American photographer and artist Florence Montmare showcases images made in 2021–22 while traveling across the United States from east to west (and back), to meet the minorities who make up today's America.
Using an electric vehicle as a mobile studio, her 7000-mile roundtrip odyssey took her through nearly 30 states, on iconic roads such as Route 66 through the Midwest and I-10 across Texas and the South. Montmare encountered individuals from all walks of life, often at her frequent charging stops, and took the opportunity to ask people about their relationship to nature, and hopes and dreams for the future. As a woman and immigrant, Montmare focused on female, minority, Native American and LGBTQ perspectives and voices. The result is an unflinching, deeply personal yet universal portrayal of a transforming nation as the climate crisis alters the landscape.
Swedish-Greek-American photographer and artist Florence Montmare (based in New York and Stockholm) creates photographs, films, exhibitions, and installations.
Born in Vienna, and raised in Stockholm, she ventured to New York City to pursue a career as an artist. After an MBA in Design Management in Sweden, she went on to study photography at the School of Visual Arts and the International Center of Photography. Mentored by artist Sam Samore, they worked together in Paris, New York and Stockholm with exhibitions at MOMA PS1, Fondation Cartier, and Centre National de Photographie. She was an artist in residence at Chashama New York, at Ingmar Bergman Estate, and Baltic Center for writers in Sweden. Her work has been exhibited internationally at Les Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles, Casino Luxembourg, Saarlandmuseum, Centre d'art Contemporain du Luxembourg, Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain Belgium, Färgfabriken Sweden and at Fotografiska New York, among other places. She previously held the position of the Head of Cultural and Public Affairs at the Swedish Consulate General in New York.
