Nudes nominee

A series of self portraits taken on remote abandoned farmland in Virginia.

The other worldly, ethereal photography of Kristie Benoit evokes memories and emotions at once nightmarish and dreamlike. All in the same breath, an image will make you feel safe and secure, and suddenly vulnerable and exposed. Her self-portraits are technically fascinating, covering various forms with the nuance of a painter. And while they are technically sound, it’s the honesty that shakes you. To be that exposed, it’s a gift to the viewer, and not one to be taken for granted.
 
Her black and white photography is layered and meaningful. You think on the outside that everything you need to know is right in front of you, when in fact, there are layers and layers of data. They remind me of a good book that you never want to end.
 
There is a mysterious quality to all of her images that carry you away to a fantastical place, and the best photos always make you feel something extra. Not only do they have this incredibly beautiful imagery, they move you. They make you wish you could join her and her vision, as she explores the seemingly mundane objects of the everyday, and turns it into a scavenger hunt for the imagination.