Portraits of a Finnish housewife
The Finn Iiu Susiraja makes us smile with her self-portraits, but at the same time disturbs her. Typical selfies are not.
It's debatable how beautiful some selfies really are. After all, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. But regardless of whether they are pretty to look at or not, behind each self-portrait is usually the intention to screen yourself as best as possible .
The portraits of Iiu Susiraja seem to come from a completely different world than the selfies that we otherwise see floating around the web every day. The Finnish housewife does not smile brightly into the camera or skilfully throws herself into the scene. Quite the contrary: She staged deliberately unfavorable. Do not conceal your lush figure, but just lift it up.
Many photographs take different situations in the household. Iiu Susiraja not only wears tights over her breasts, but also with a rolling pin between her legs or a broom under her breasts. The Finn provokes and leaves many eyebrows raised. Why does she photograph herself in these unfavorable poses?
Her blog says: "Today, only two or three things are important: you have to build an image, pose and build connections with others." In contrast, Susiraja defends herself with her pictures. She launches an attack with her pictures and shows herself in private so as to protect her privacy. The photo artist does not work with models. The Hessische Rundfunk published a quote from her, in which she makes clear her reasons for this: "You can humble yourself in your work, but no other."
One of the goals of Iiu Susiraja's work is to encourage others to perhaps take a look at their own everyday reality and decide to become their own unique self, ignoring the vanities that are currently in vogue are.
Until 30 November 2014, Iiu Susirajas pictures were exhibited at the Frankfurt Book Fair in the Frankfurt Photography Forum. At that time, Finland was the guest of honor at the annual event. A profound message from a brave woman that makes you think ...
