Danielle Tunstall

Danielle Tunstall is a 31 year old photographer based in the UK. There is not a great deal of biographical information available about her other than her age and that she has children. I was initially drawn to Danielle's work because of the controversy and discussion it has generated. A large part of her work involves images that many people find disturbing, which has provoked many outside the art community to ask whether or not there is a line between mental instability and art.

Danielle is the creator of several series including Zombie Land and Almost Human. She combines off camera techniques such as face paint with digital imaging techniques in Photoshop to create stunning images which address the human condition, exploring our similarities and differences.

In her dark yet light portraits, Danielle skillfully portrays very dark themes and emotions with very light imagery. The contrast of meaning and visuals is an interesting commentary on modernity and our tendency to make light of dark subjects, or how advertising and mass media transform dangerous things like chemical warfare into widely accepted food additives and fertilizers. Her portraits highlight the truth of human existence. We have a tendency to pose for portraits as though our lives were perfect. Family members with bitter rivalries will wrap their arms around one another and pose in artificial idyl. Danielle's portraits cut past this sugar-coated aspect of portrait photography and focus on the very real experiences that have made us the people we are.

Another aspect of Danielle's photography that intrigues me is the simplicity of her setup. She uses a few lights, a simple black or white backdrop, a tripod and her camera. Her "models" are all real people - none of them are professionals. I appreciate her ability to transform the common and mundane into high art that has captured the attention of the public and drawn them into the continuing dialogue of what art is and isn't.

Danielle's website Danielle's facebook page Danielle's flickr