”Across the Bridge” is about everyday life on the Swedish island Öland. I examine, based on the belief that the private is universal, the universal driving force to be significant to others. It means a lot to us to be a part of a larger context. We want to feel that we play an important role for others, for a group, that we belong to a family. It may be enough that we feel seen by a single person. If that feeling, that context, is removed from us, we lose meaning and lose momentum in life. I portray this through a private emotional trauma. The book is published by Journal (2016).
I’m a freelance photographer based in Stockholm, Sweden. Member of The Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF). I take both editorial and commercial assignments. 2016 I released the photobook “Across the Bridge” (Journal) about everyday life on the island Öland. My second photobook, “A Familiar Place” (Journal, 2018), is about everyday life in Stockholm. In 2019 my third photobook "The Young Ones" (Journal) was released. This time it's about children. Please visit www.simonjohansson.se for more info and portfolios.
Awards FUNDINGS, GRANTS AND NOMINATIONS
2020 Gomma Grant 2019, shortlisted photographer for "The Young Ones".
2019 Travel grant from The Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
2019 Working grant from The Swedish Authors’ Fund. One year.
2019 Gomma Grant 2018, shortlisted photographer for "A Familiar Place".
2018 Travel grant from The Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
2018 Gomma Grant 2017, shortlisted photographer for "Across the Bridge".
2018 Athens Photo Festival, shortlisted photographer for "Across the Bridge".
2017 Working grant from The Swedish Authors’ Fund. One year.
2016 Grant from The Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
PHOTOBOOKS
2019 "The Young Ones" (Journal). Photos of children.
2018 "A Familiar Place" (Journal). Photos of everyday life in Stockholm.
2016 "Across the Bridge" (Journal). Photos of everyday life at the island Öland.
EXHIBITIONS
2020 "OpenWalls Arles", at Galerie Huit Arles. Group exhibition.
2020 Stockholm Public Library. "A Familiar Place".
2019 CFF, Stockholm. Group exhibition.
2019 Lucie Foundation "On the Block". Group exhibition. Los Angeles.
2019 19 Glas, Stockholm. "A Familiar Place".
2018 SPEGLA Fotofestival. "A Familiar Place".
2018 Fotografiska, Stockholm. Talent 2018. Group exhibition. "The Young Ones".
2018 Loosen Art and Mag-Gallery LA, Rome (Italy). Group exhibition.
2018 Galleri Kontrast, Stockholm. Group exhibition.
2017 SPEGLA Fotofestival. "Across the Bridge".
2017 Bucharest Photo Week. "Across the Bridge".
2017 Landskrona Fotofestival. "Across the Bridge".
2017 American Photographic Artists, Los Angeles. Group exhibition.
2017 Galleri Kontrast, Stockholm. Group exhibition.
2017 NevaBooks, Rimforsa. "Across the Bridge".
2016 Galleri Axel, Stockholm. "Across the Bridge".
2016 Galleri Kontrast, Stockholm. Group exhibition.
2016 "Konst Åt Alla", Kalmar. Group exhibition.
2015 "Bildverkstaden". Landskrona Fotofestival. Group exhibition.
2014 Himmelsberga Museum, Öland. "Across the Bridge".
