Faraway/Nearby: Jan Töve documents a delightful trip to the Swedish countryside

His photographs of his home region are lyrical dabs of memory, the wide-eyed absorption of changes, a laconic stocktaking of a present-day somewhere. For a period just short of ten years (2007–16), the Swedish photographer and publicist returned time after time, at different points during the year, portrayed landscape as well as inhabitants, and discovered an individual rhythm.

Interested in how people deal with their surroundings and traditions, he explored the challenges posed by nature. In this series, Töve, who has produced numerous publications with photographs of nature and landscapes, found new structures and forms, for instance a recurring red that runs through the entire series — perhaps the signal of a defiant 'situatedness', a want-to-be-and-stay-here.

The collection is now available in a stunning coffee table book. Discover more at hatjecantz.de.

Main image: Stora Levene, Västergötland, 2007 © Jan Töve | All images courtesy of Hatje Cantz