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The American Myth: Photography series explores nostalgia of the American dream

In a photography series inspired by both the paintings of Edward Hopper and the general mise en scène of David Lynch, photographer Francoise Gaujour explores the concept of the American Dream, and its relevance today.

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Night-time urban street scene bathed in blue neon light, with parked cars, illuminated signs and tall buildings creating a moody, cinematic atmosphere

She explains: "Lynch was inspired by Hopper for framework, for this exquisite timelessness, for the colour. The filmmaker uses the expressionism of colour as a filter that distorts reality.

"Lynch is fascinated by this portrait of a postwar American myth that Hopper conveyed through his canvases. The painter devoted to the serene reflections of back country America, to its peaceful inhabitants and to the dreams of the "American Way" of this wild west asleep.

"Hopper's paintings reflect a changing society: they depict the quality of life and the existence of the middle class growing in the first half of the twentieth century. They show the loneliness in big cities and characters that seem to regret some disappearing America."

Paris-based Francoise Gaujour began her photography career after a long stint as a radio and television journalist. Since the early 2000s, her work has been exhibited in France and Italy. Discover more at francoisegaujour.net.

All images copyright and courtesy of Francoise Gaujour

Neon-lit corrugated metal structure with yellow and green glowing panels against a dark sky, featuring a silhouetted cactus sign, evoking American roadside nostalgia
A dimly lit interior with neon blue and pink lighting, an American flag with neon accents, and retro furnishings creating a nostalgic, cinematic atmosphere
Night-time scene with glowing lights illuminating a motel sign and building structures in shades of blue and green against darkness
Abstract composition with sweeping bands of blue, yellow and purple against a dark background, featuring scattered white points of light within the blue section
Dimly lit diner interior with glowing cyan neon light curved along the counter and a vibrant screen displaying abstract imagery on the wall above
Row of illuminated fairground game booths with radiating yellow and green starburst patterns on dark facades at night
Neon signs glow against a dark night sky in a nocturnal American landscape from Francoise Gaujour's photography series
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