Ben Zank questions social norms through hyper-staged performance art

We profile the rising star of American art photography and explore his use of nudes, bizarre scenarios and celebrations of the absurd.

Art may hold a mirror up to nature, but sometimes, it’s good for that mirror to be a little crooked so that we perceive our surroundings differently. If we continue the metaphor, the work of art photographer Ben Zank might be described as a veritable hall of mirrors.

A native New Yorker, Ben was born in 1991 and began photography at the age of 18 when he discovered a Pentax ME Super in his grandmother’s attic. His work is often a spontaneous reaction to his immediate environment and is used as a catalyst for expressing emotions when words fail.

Marking a significant milestone in his career, Ben Zank is set to unveil his inaugural hardcover book. Nothing to See Here centres around the intriguing dichotomy of juxtaposing a well-dressed man with a completely nude figure, thrusting them into equally precarious and bizarre scenarios.

This audacious exploration goes beyond mere visual aesthetics; it becomes a deliberate act of pushing the boundaries, challenging societal norms, and questioning the constructs of reality.

Surreal tapestry

Ben’s artistic approach is a fusion of hyper-staged compositions and performance art, creating a surreal tapestry that is both humorous and provocative. Each frame tells a story, inviting viewers to ponder the enigmatic narratives that unfold within the meticulously crafted scenes.

His work transcends the conventional bounds of photography, evolving into a form of visual poetry that invites contemplation and interpretation.

In navigating the realms of fashion, nudity, and the absurd, Ben Zank invites us to challenge our perceptions and embrace the unconventional. His photographs are not just frozen moments in time; they are windows into a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur and where the unexpected becomes the norm.

Nothing to See Here is published by Aliens in Residence, a Brooklyn-based publishing studio founded by Dino Kužnik & Arnaud Montagard and devoted to showcasing cutting-edge works in contemporary photography. This hardcover book features 62 colour photographs across 132 pages, along with a foreword by Jon Feinstein.