Masterfully Satirical: The Whimsical Commentary on Societal Phenomena by Photographer Natalie Strohmaier
Natalie Strohmaier is a talented German photography artist residing in Munich. Her artistic journey began while studying architecture at KIT Karlsruhe and ETH Zurich. During this time, her early photography projects gradually took shape, laying the foundation for her future career. After completing her postgraduate degree in film set design at the University of Television and Film Munich, Strohmaier worked in various related industries for nearly twenty years before rekindling her passion for photography. This renewed passion left a significant mark in the field of conceptual photography.
Strohmaier’s creative vision is characterized by a meticulous artistic technique and an innovative perspective. Her work masterfully merges contemporary elements with both traditional and modern influences, showcasing her deep appreciation for their interaction. She skillfully uses color and light to create compelling visual narratives. By juxtaposing everyday objects, Strohmaier’s photography evokes familiarity while provoking thought, inviting viewers to explore their associations and effectively blending artistic expression with social commentary.
Her background in architecture and film set design has significantly influenced her photographic approach. During her studies, Strohmaier was passionate about building models, a practice that continues to this day to realize her photographic ideas. Over the years, she has participated in numerous film productions, honing her skills in designing meticulously planned sets and props, thus laying a solid foundation for her work in conceptual photography.
In her studio, Strohmaier can control the set and lighting setup precisely, enabling her to execute her ideas closely in line with the pre-drawn draft. She often uses still-life photography to address societal issues such as the overconsumption of sugar and plastic, as seen in her series “Same Same but Different,” or unrealistic beauty standards, as depicted in “Unattainable Beauty.” The still-life genre allows her to delve into these important issues with relatively low financial investment while creating a powerful visual impact.
In the series “Same Same but Different,” Strohmaier illustrates the dilemmas she encounters in her daily life. She explains, “Sugar destroys health, and plastic harms the environment. I often encounter both in everyday life or while shopping, which frustrates me greatly. I addressed this theme by recreating historical still life paintings. In my reinterpretations, all elements of the original paintings are replaced with cheap, unhealthy mass-produced goods. Often, you need to look closely to realize, for example, that the fruits are actually candies (as in the image ‘Le Panier de Fraises des Bois’ – original painting by Jean Siméon Chardin). I hope these images encourage people to look closer and think about these issues.”
Additionally, Strohmaier’s work frequently incorporates symbolism and subtle humor to present familiar subjects from new perspectives. One example in her series “Oversugared” is a landscape entirely made of candies. She notes, “In this land of plenty, there is a fat fly. Flies in paintings are often seen as symbols of evil or the devil, but also represent transience. It signifies that the enjoyment of sweets is short-lived and harmful to health in the long run. The fly’s presence gives this image a completely different meaning.” Humor and satire often appear in the details of her work. In her reinterpretation of Jean Siméon Chardin’s painting “La Ratisseuse,” she depicts not a kitchen maid but a woman who just finished showering, sitting in a bathrobe in front of a microwave with her phone. To incorporate the red elements from the original painting, she wears red slippers, and instead of the red bloodstains on the wooden block, her version features a bottle of red nail polish. The entire image exaggerates the industrialized cheap food and other industrial products in our modern world.
Strohmaier’s exceptional talent has not gone unnoticed. Her piece “Red Beauty” from the series “Unattainable Beauty” won the 2024 Sony National Award, highlighting her creativity and dedication to her craft. This image depicts a “flower model” composed of various plants and red and pink blossoms against a turquoise background. The series parodies the portrayal of models in the advertising industry, which continues to promote unrealistic beauty ideals that are unattainable for most people.
The creative process behind “Red Beauty” and other images in the series involves establishing specific rules for the “flower models,” which always have a head, a dress, one leg, and one shoe. Strohmaier mimics human model poses, creating figures that seem to present themselves to the audience. The “Red Beauty” figure consists of four different plants, aiming to entice viewers with its inviting pose and complementary color contrast, while also disturbing with its unnaturalness, akin to a botanical Frankenstein.
Looking ahead, Strohmaier plans to continue exploring societal and personal issues through her photography. While she still has ideas for her series “Same Same but Different,” she is considering moving away from the still-life genre and working with people in her images again. Her journey from studying architecture to becoming an award-winning photographer highlights her unique vision and perseverance, cementing her place in contemporary art. Through her innovative and thought-provoking work, Natalie Strohmaier invites viewers to explore deeper meanings and social commentary, making her a standout figure in the world of conceptual photography.