Photographer Lanie Klein is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the series ‘Woman.Still life’. To see Lanie ’s body of work, click on any photograph.

This series examines the ways in which women have been featured in art (and later in advertising) and their use as objects, sexual or otherwise. I have taken the genre of still life, historically defined by its absence of the human form, and inserted women into the frames as objects. The female forms play with the idea of object as they gaze towards the viewer and away, raising questions as to what exactly creates the objectification, and how much the gaze plays a part. At the same time the series seeks to question and push the boundaries of the still life genre.

Artist Statement

Through photography, Lanie Klein captures the essence of life by delving deep into the realms of human experience. Her art is a means to provoke thought, challenge conventions and explore the complex tapestry of existence. The work raises important questions and examines pressing issues that resonate within our society. Klein uses photography as a tool to shed light on the nuances of human emotions, social constructs and cultural dynamics. Whether through poignant portraits or thought-provoking conceptual series, her images combine artistry with storytelling, evoking an emotional connection that resonates long after the initial encounter. 

Bio

Elaine Klein is an award-winning photographer born in the US. She earned her BA from Barnard College and her MA from Columbia University in New York. She currently works as an independent artist. Klein has won international recognition in many photography competitions, including AAP, Lens Culture, Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, Sony WPA and International Color Awards. She has exhibited in exhibitions including:  solo exhibition Tel Aviv Artists House (2024), and group exhibitions including Naggar School of Art, Jerusalem (2021), ICCY Jerusalem (2017), Aaron Faber Gallery, NYC (1986). Her work is part of the collection of the Yeshiva University Museum in NY City and private collections.

All images and text © Lanie Klein