Brooke DiDonato Captures Modern Malaise in Her Strange Stylized Photos

a man in a long sleve buttun down, black loafers, white socks, and tan pants leans into a bent fence post with his head to appear like he's pushing it

All images © Brooke DiDonato, shared with permission

Despite the preppy ’80s aesthetic, Brooke DiDonato’s photos speak directly to a contemporary ennui. An absurdly long rotary phone cord wraps a woman in a floral dress to the point of immobility, while another figure stands atop a stack of books so tall their head shoots through the attic. The photographer (previously) is known for her uncanny compositions that twist what appears like a typical encounter with a bookish friend or chain-link fence into a strange, confounding scene.

DiDonato’s first monograph is currently funding on Volume, a publisher that functions similarly to Kickstarter and asks buyers to back the project before printing begins. Characteristically titled Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer, the book provides an overview of the artist’s disorienting photos and insight into her practice and process.

Find more of DiDonato’s work and glimpses behind the scenes on Instagram.

legs in blue pants and loafers stands atop a stack of books that is the height of a door. the persons body and head are through an attic

a white woman in a floral dress stands barefoot next to a curtained widow with a ridiculously long rotary phone cord wrapped around her body and face

a person lies on mattresses on a wooden bed frame with their legs pointed toward the headboard and their upper body hidden by a hanging jacket. their hands apppear at the bottom of the jacket

a man sits in a chair and talks on the phone that sprouts green plants

a pair of legs in blue pants and blue shoes sits on a yellow couch with another par of legs appearing to emerge from the left side over the back of the couch. arms hang over the opposite direction

legs poke through a round woven rug which is worn like a garment and obscures the rest of the figure's body. a hand holds up the rug at the top

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Brooke DiDonato Captures Modern Malaise in Her Strange Stylized Photos appeared first on Colossal.