The Suspended Moment

Australian photographer Tamara Dean presents her newest exhibition of photographs, The Suspended Moment at Michael Reid Sydney, which furthers her employment of a purpose-built underwater studio. In this remarkably magic new series, Dean creates sumptuous still life compositions that contradict their genre, presenting animated scenes that appear to defy gravity.

Pulling from the rich symbolism found in 17^th century Dutch Still life painting, Tamara Dean creates vignettes of distinct palettes, through which her carefully selected objects appear to perform. Aside from one delicately placed hand in Love and Desire, Dean allows her objects to narrate our story. By removing the figures that typically populate her photographs, Tamara Dean raises existential questions in beautifully tense ways.

The symbolism found in The Suspended Moment alludes to debates concerning the climate emergency as well as the omnipresent threat of increasing natural disasters. The gentle buoyancy of Tamara Dean’s fruit, fabrics, and flowers, imitate an increasing loss of control. The Suspended Moment brings a touch of poetry to an alarming environmental debate, and is one that is expertly directed by Dean.

For assistance with an acquisition from this exhibition, please contact dean@michaelreid.com.au