Canadian photo-based artist Susan Dobson covers suburban culture, architecture, and landscape in a portfolio that takes on everything from the rising moon to toy-strewn basements. Her sharp observations on urban development and alienation have brought her international recognition. (Above: Flight Path, from the series Dislocation)
End of the Line, from Dislocation
Dobson is currently on exhibit at the City of Toronto archives in a collection that looks at how photography shaped ideas about Central and Eastern European immigrants 100 years ago. Historical photos of Toronto are juxtaposed with new works by Dobson to reflect on how the Ward, an area in the core, has changed over the course of a century. (Below, one of Dobson’s exhibit works: College Park)
-Courtesy of the artist
With this exhibition, Dobson continues to explore her long-standing interest in the relation between space, power, and human relations. The photographs presented assert that today, the area has become highly commercialized, with the streetscape dominated by multinational corporations and condominiums for the wealthy. -Curator Sarah Bassnett
Real estate opportunity, from the series Moonrise
Above: Row Houses, from Moonrise Below: Two untitled pieces from the series Natural Law
Above, and the two images below: Untitled pieces from the series Open House
Susan Dobson is an associate professor at the College of Arts, University of Guelph. Her photographs and installations have been in solo and group exhibitions across Canada, as well as in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, China, Germany, Spain, and Mexico. She has been a featured artist in a number of photography festivals and is the recipient of numerous awards.
Susan Dobson’s website, here.
Biography, here.
Like her perspective.The cluttered rooms are disturbing and, I’m guessing, meant to be. Love the “real estate opportunity.” Save us from those who would consume every quiet space and peaceful habitat. Thanks for the introduction!
True comments, especially on the consumption of peaceful space. Thanks.
Very different eye. I like it.
I think the contrast between her new urban works and the Toronto archival pieces should be interesting.
Reblogged this on photographyofnia and commented:
Interesting
I enjoyed this post, but the first image is disturbing to me. Nothing else looks photo-manipulated, but the plane looks very wrong and I was hoping everything turned out okay there. Maybe it was photoshopped like that? I personally loved the cluttered rooms. Made me feel better about my own sort of cluttered house. I’m not that bad! LOL! Especially love the ones out in nature with man’s decay – the chairs and billboard.
Very interesting comments. Here is a link to an exhibit in Toronto where this artist poses questions about that plane, part of a series called Dislocation. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/visualarts/2012/constructed-view/
I love that billboard too, but for a different reason. When I was a child, and we drove from my hometown of London, Ontario to Toronto, I used that Schneider’s meat billboard to help me know when we were about halfway.
So cool about the billboard! I’ll go check out the link on the plane photo – thanks for sharing it.
Love all these. That #9 one looks like my grandchildrens’ playroom.
Yes, like lots of playrooms, it’s true!
Really different…..makes me think…
If you read all her reviews, it’s her ability to provoke critical thinking that she’s especially well known for. So she’d probably love your reaction!
Wonderful Photography Love it!
Yes, she has a great eye, I agree.
the first one is my favorite. almost another apocalypse art
That’s so true, very apocalypse-like.
Beautiful contemplation on space, and human intervention in the natural environment. Really great, thought provoking images.
You know, that’s a really great point. It truly is contemplative, not just banging the point home. Thanks.