In May 2020, Aperture released a definitive new edition of one of the most influential photography series of the last few decades: . Though the images themselves were captured between 1997 and 2002, this 2020 monograph brought the complete series together, offering a powerful look at girlhood, rebellion, and the American landscape. A New Frontier for Girlhood
The series blurs the line between documentary and fantasy, creating a "utopic pastoral" where female community and sisterhood are the primary forces. Just Girls – Vol 28 – 2020
Book Review: “justine kurland: girl pictures” - Strange Fire Collective In May 2020, Aperture released a definitive new
For years, the "American Frontier" was a myth dominated by men—cowboys, outlaws, and explorers. Kurland’s work reclaimed this territory. She traveled across the United States, staging scenes with adolescent girls she met along the way, imagining them as a "standing army of teenaged runaways". Book Review: “justine kurland: girl pictures” - Strange
This blog post highlights the 2020 release of a significant collection in contemporary photography and publishing.
The 2020 publication was more than just a reprint. It included 76 images—many previously unpublished—and an essay by Kurland herself.
The 2020 edition allowed a new generation to engage with Kurland’s vision of adolescent independence. By removing the traditional voyeuristic gaze often found in depictions of youth, Kurland provides a stage for her subjects to perform their own identities. This collection remains a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the fierce autonomy of youth and the enduring power of feminine solidarity in the wild.