Containment Theory, Ben Zank, 2019

Ben Zank

New York based photographer Ben Zank’s complex self-portraits depict him in the most curious and obscene ways. In many of his images his body is used as a sort of prop within the landscape, often blending and molding into the world around him in form. The result is a complex mixture of a playfulness and an almost unnerving uncertainty. In each image little is revealed from the emotions on his face, but more so from the way in which he interacts with his surroundings.

Decision Analysis, Ben Zank, 2025

In his photographs “the atmosphere screams revealing depth of the subconscious mind” (Khmelnitski 2018). His work has a personal, emotional underpinning and Zank’s use of himself as the subject is intentional to these points, “The dialogue I can have with myself as both the photographer and subject is much more defined and rapid. I also naturally feel closer to the images that I’ve used myself” (Zank 2018).

Whilst the images clearly show a sense of underlying emotional tightness, they also have a rather comedic feel which Zank attributes to his longstanding love for filmmaking and comedy skits (Visual Fodder 2016).