© Benjamin Rusnak

Dreams & Tempests: Photographs by Benjamin Rusnak

Featuring work by: Benjamin Rusnak

Exhibition: Tue, Sep 29 to Sat, Oct 31 2009

Geography and weather, drought and flash flood, oppressive heat and oppressive poverty govern the lives of the poor in the tropics. The postcard landscapes that tourists may think of as an idyllic paradise can become deadly for families in mud-and-stick homes clinging precariously to steep hillsides. Benjamin Rusnak’s photographs show the inner strength of people caught between the forces of nature and economics whose faith and hope transcend the daily struggle to secure the necessities of life. His use of panoramic photography, showing close and distant views simultaneously, creates not only landscapes but intimate “peoplescapes,” a shared experience between subject and viewer.

Benjamin Rusnak has documented poverty in the Caribbean and Latin America for Food For The Poor, an international relief and development agency, for the past nine years. Previously, he spent 10 years as a newspaper and wire photojournalist with Agence France-Presse, the Indianapolis Star, the Fort Myers News-Press and the Ann Arbor News. His work has won numerous awards, including Pictures of the Year International, Best of Photojournalism, New York Photo Awards, International Photography Awards, Photo District News, the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, and the Gordon Parks Award.

Artist Lecture: Thu, Oct 29, 5:30pm - 9pm

Visiting Artist Lecture: Benjamin Rusnak

Benjamin Rusnak has documented poverty in the Caribbean and Latin America for Food For The Poor, an international relief and development agency, for the past nine years. Previously, he was a newspaper and wire photojournalist for 10 years, working for Agence France-Presse, the Indianapolis Star, the Fort Myers News-Press and the Ann Arbor News.

His work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International, Best of Photojournalism, New York Photo Awards, International Photography Awards, Photo District News, Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, Alexia Foundation and the China International Press Photo Contest. In 2008, Rusnak tied himself for first place to win the prestigious Gordon Parks Award. In 2005, the Palm Beach Photographic Centre in Delray Beach (FL) featured a solo exhibition of his work.

Zuma Press represents his work, and zReportage.com and DOUBLEtruck Magazine often feature his essays.

Rusnak grew up in suburban Washington, D.C., where he developed an interest in topics beyond American borders and a passion for the plight of those less fortunate. He graduated from George Mason University in 1992, with a degree in communication. He lives in Boca Raton, Fla., with his wife and fellow newspaper refugee, Susan Bryant.

Art Institute of Atlanta Gallery
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
100 Embassy Row
Atlanta, GA 30328  [map: Google Maps]
hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 9am - 9pm
Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9pm - 3pm
web: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta
permalink: http://festivalguide.acpinfo.org/listings/view/176
ACP Listing #: 052