Autobiographic Dramas
Color Works (1983-1988)
20” x 24” Color Coupler Prints

In much of Susan Kae Grant’s photographic work from the early 80’s to present, she has acted much like a film director in staging and controlling all aspects of her images. Combining influences from film, literature, music and media, the works are autobiographic in nature and examine relationships, dreams and gender issues.  To create the work, Grant constructs narratives from her journal writings and observations. 

In the series, Autobiographic Dramas, Grant examines personal and cultural issues to create scenarios that generate cognitive dilemmas. Sometimes she photographs herself and other times, models. The images are about universal issues where fiction is presented as fact. The resulting narratives are purposely ambiguous to stimulate broad responses and invite interpretation.

The images in Autobiographic Dramas were produced on film with a 4 x 5 view camera, a location generator, and a combination of tungsten min-spots and theater stage lights with color gels. The printing was created by hand in a Dev-Tec drum. The prints measure 20" x 24" presented in 30" x 36" mats framed in maple or mounted on aluminum.

Acquisitions: Contact Conduit Gallery
Exhibitions: Contact Susan kae Grant