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Incredibly Elaborate Non-Photoshopped Scenes

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography

Decades before Photoshop was available, American artist Sandy Skoglund started creating surrealist images by building incredibly elaborate sets, a process which took months to complete. Her works are characterized by an overwhelming amount of one object and either bright, contrasting colors or a monochromatic color scheme.

Born in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1946, Skoglund studied studio art and art history at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts from 1964-1968. Moving to New York City in 1972, she started working as a conceptual artist, dealing with repetitive, process-oriented art production through the techniques of mark-making and photocopying. In 1978, she produced a series of repetitious food item still life images.

Skoglund was an art professor at the University of Hartford between 1973-1976. She is currently teaching photography and art installation/multimedia at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Above image: FOX GAMES 1989 Sandy Skoglund

See Sandy Skoglund's non-Photoshopped scenes of surreal sets and  below.

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
REVENGE OF THE GOLDFISH 1981 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
THE COCKTAIL PARTY 1992 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
RAINING POPCORN 2001 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
A BREEZE AT WORK 1987 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
THE GREEN HOUSE 1990 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
SQUIRRELS AT THE DRIVE-IN 1991 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
BREATHING GLASS 2000 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE 1984 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
RADIOACTIVE CATS 1980 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
BODY LIMITS 1992 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
ATOMIC LOVE 1992 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
CATS IN PARIS 1993 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
THE COLD WAR 1999 Sandy Skoglund

sandy skoglund surreal sets non-photoshopped scenes surrealism photography
GATHERING PARADISE 1991 Sandy Skoglund

Sandy Skoglund: Website

Eugene Kim

Eugene Kim is the Editor-in-Chief of My Modern Met. In May, 2008, he co-founded the website to create one big city that celebrates creative ideas. His mission is to promote a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.
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