DINA GOLDSTEIN

Dina is a photographer and Pop Surrealist with a background in editorial and documentary photography. For Dina photography is intended not to produce an aesthetic that echoes current beauty standards, but to evoke and wrest feelings of shame, anger, shock and empathy from the observer as to inspire insight into the human condition. Dina independently produces large scale tableau photographic series that are philosophical, satirical, ironic and visually stunning.
Dina’s experience as a documentary photographer complements her conceptual series — they inform each other technically and creatively. From her more candid work, she has learned that spontaneity and a lack of control are sources of inspiration. This has inspired trust in her instincts to nurture the most fleeting of concepts.
In The Dollhouse, 2012 plays out in a 10 part sequential narrative, photographed in a custom built adult sized dollhouse. This time Dina takes on one of the most powerful symbols of Western culture: Barbie and Ken, the beloved and idealized American couple. More than any other childhood construct, Barbie represents the concept that `Beauty´ is the apex trait and is necessary to attain power and happiness. Her co-star Ken, who has been trapped in an imposed marriage for over three decades, discovers his authentic self and finally expresses his individuality. Barbie’s fate is grim in Goldstein’s hands, as she breaks down and confronts her own value and fleeting relevance. Dina subverts the myth of ‘Perfection’ by means of satire as she explores the idealistic and unstable concept of ‘perfection’.

Dina’s work is exhibited in galleries and museums internationally. Her images have been recognized for their metaphorical and ironical messages. Highly controversial, they have garnered coverage in magazines and newspapers around the globe and continuously create dialogue within social media platforms. The projects has been subject to many written essays, dissertations, and mentioned in various literature. Dina’s pieces are studied and taught in art schools, photography programs, gender and feminist ­­­studies. Dina is often invited to exhibit her work and speak to large groups.

Dina lives in East Vancouver with her filmmaker husband, Jonas Quastel, her two young daughters, Jordan and Zoe, and their dog Taco