Dina Goldstein “Photo Projects: In the Dollhouse & Fallen Princesses”

La Jolla March 19, 2015— Madison Gallery is pleased to present two photo projects by Vancouver based artist, Dina Goldstein exploring the human condition.
 
Dina Goldstein is a Canadian photojournalist and conceptual photographer. Her photography is intended not to produce an aesthetic that echoes current beauty standards, but to evoke and wrest feelings of shame, anger, shock and empathy from the observer so as to inspire insight into the human condition.
As the artist states: “I have always felt that my photojournalism complements my conceptual photography — they inform each other technically and creatively. From photojournalism, I have learned that spontaneity and a lack of control are sources of inspiration. This has inspired trust in my instincts to nurture the most fleeting of concepts. For example, my Fallen Princesses series was born out of deep personal pain, when I raged against the “happily ever after” motif we are spoon fed since childhood. The series, which is included in this package, created metaphor out of the myths of fairy tales, forcing the viewer to contemplate real life: failed dreams, pollution and ocean degradation, war, obesity, the extinction of indigenous cultures, cancer and the fallacy of chasing eternal youth. By embracing the textures and colours created by Walt Disney, which built a multi-billion dollar empire exploiting these fairy tales, Fallen Princesses exposed the consumerism that has negated the morality of these ancient parables. It also begged the question, “how do we define the concept of ‘good’ and how do we live a ‘good’ life?” – Dina Goldstein
 
‘Fallen Princesses’ is an ironic look at children’s parables, from Grimm fairy tales to Walt Disney. By placing iconic characters such as Little Red Riding Hood or Snow White in modern situations, the series became a commentary on such everyday scourges as poverty, obesity, cancer and pollution.
‘In the Dollhouse’ is a series that plays out as a narrative, peeking into the home and marriage of the world’s most iconic dolls, Barbie, and her partner Ken. It offers a profound commentary on the transient nature of beauty, the difficulty of marriage and the importance of authenticity.
Dina Goldstein has exhibited widely throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, she received the 2014 Prix Virginia award, an international prize for women photographers. Her work has been covered extensively by press associations and art critics.
 
Founded in 2001, Madison Gallery is committed to representing emerging, mid-career and established international artists whom work in a range of media. Inspired by an earnest dedication and passion for art, the gallery consistently exhibits a high standard of contemporary art. Madison Gallery works closely in building private, corporate and public collections thus placing it amongst the leading contemporary galleries in California.