As a documentary and editorial photographer, Susana Raab contributed to a long list of prestigious publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Outside Magazine and the Boston Globe. Focused on editorial photography, Raab covered politics for The New York Times' Washington Bureau for four years.
Her show "Rank Strangers" -- on display at Dean Jensen Gallery -- derives from her collections on leisure and fast food in America and is a considerable divergence from anything she has done professionally in the past.
"Rank Strangers" opened for last month's Gallery Night and remains on display through Aug. 29.
Raab's most recent works, "Consumed: Fast Food in the U.S." and "Off Season: America at Leisure," were focus projects while earning a Master's in photography from Ohio University. Fulfilling a desire to take a softer approach in her subject, Raab left her position with The New York Times in order to contemplate this self-assigned project and take a closer look at American mainstream culture.
"Rank Strangers," composed of 24 images, is Raab's visual observation of the American experience in the context of fast-food consumption and typical leisure habits.
Objective and without agenda, Raab's photos are whimsical and light-hearted. Rather than reiterating the oft-noted bleak side of America's fast-paced culture, Raab's photos expose rather than impose; leaving interpretation and subsequent conclusion to the viewer.
As Raab explained to The New York Times, "Fast food had been photographed but hadn't been explored in depth. You can take the obvious pictures of obesity and people eating, but I wanted to approach it obliquely, not literally. I think I found my voice, little by little, while exploring the project."
Raab chooses to explore both rural and urban, historical and modern contexts and does so with ease. The viewer can observe what must be a comfortable, almost comical relationship between the photographer and her subject palpable in each image.
Her online blog reveals an individual, although undoubtedly earning the right to be arrogant and aloof, who is humble, funny and certainly doesn't take life too seriously.
Among a long list of awards, Raab received a Pulitzer Prize nomination and honors from the White House News Photographers Association for her work.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
