The Bowdoin College Museum of Art is presenting a refreshed version of John McKee's groundbreaking photography exhibition, nearly six decades after its original debut. The new presentation of 'As Maine Goes' remains highly relevant as Maine continues to face environmental challenges and climate change impacts.
McKee, who passed away in 2023, left a significant photographic legacy to the museum. He bequeathed 54 photographs from his influential 'As Maine Goes' series, along with 31 additional images from his later photographic works. The current exhibition is being curated by Chris Zhang '25 and Frank Goodyear, offering visitors a unique opportunity to examine both the past and future simultaneously.
The original 'As Maine Goes' exhibition was first presented at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in 1966. At that time, McKee was working as a Romance Languages instructor at the college while pursuing his passion for photography. The exhibition featured a powerful collection of black-and-white photographs that provided a stark and unflinching look at the environmental destruction affecting Maine's coastal landscapes.
McKee's photographs documented serious environmental issues including widespread pollution, unsightly seaside dumps, and the devastating effects of uncontrolled development along Maine's pristine coastline. What started as a secondary interest for the language instructor ultimately became the most significant aspect of his career and lasting legacy.
The impact of McKee's work extended far beyond the art world. These compelling photographs served as a powerful catalyst for raising environmental awareness throughout Maine and contributed to important legislative action in the state. The exhibition played a notable role in supporting the growing environmental movement that was gaining momentum during the 1960s.
The original 1966 exhibition was accompanied by a special limited-edition catalog that featured an introduction written by U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, adding significant weight and credibility to McKee's environmental message.
The current exhibition, titled 'John McKee: As Maine Goes,' will be on display until November 9, 2025. Visitors can view the exhibition at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, located at 245 Maine Street in Brunswick, Maine 04011. Additional information about the exhibition is available on the museum's website at https://www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum/.
