{"id":1837651,"date":"2026-03-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837651"},"modified":"2026-03-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T21:00:00","slug":"ben-zanks-portraits-teeter-between-surrealism-and-the-mundane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837651","title":{"rendered":"Ben Zank\u2019s Portraits Teeter Between Surrealism and the Mundane"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-8.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a figure sitting at a seat, its head and back turned the opposite way\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Ben Zank\u2019s Portraits Teeter Between Surrealism and the Mundane<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-20T13:42:57-05:00\">March 20, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-photography\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/photography\/\" rel=\"tag\">Photography<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/jandres\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Jackie Andres<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fben-zank-surreal-portraits%2F&amp;title=Ben%20Zank%E2%80%99s%20Portraits%20Teeter%20Between%20Surrealism%20and%20the%20Mundane\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#39064a4c5b535c5a4d047b5c571c0b09635857521c7c0b1c01091c00004a1c0b0969564b4d4b58504d4a1c0b096d5c5c4d5c4b1c0b097b5c4d4e5c5c571c0b096a4c4b4b5c5855504a541c0b0958575d1c0b094d515c1c0b09744c575d58575c1f585449025b565d40047b5c571c0b09635857521c7c0b1c01091c00004a1c0b0969564b4d4b58504d4a1c0b096d5c5c4d5c4b1c0b097b5c4d4e5c5c571c0b096a4c4b4b5c5855504a541c0b0958575d1c0b094d515c1c0b09744c575d58575c1c0b091c7c0b1c01091c000d1c0b09514d4d494a1c0a781c0b7f1c0b7f4e4e4e174d51504a504a5a5655564a4a5855175a56541c0b7f0b090b0f1c0b7f090a1c0b7f5b5c571443585752144a4c4b4b5c58551449564b4d4b58504d4a1c0b7f\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"470818\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tensely contorted or standing pin straight, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benzank.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ben Zank<\/a>\u2019s signature <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/tags\/ben-zank\/\">faceless subjects<\/a> evoke ineffable yet familiar emotions. <\/p>\n<p>The New York City-based photographer has a knack for turning ordinary settings and unaccompanied figures into strangely perplexing sights. Mismatched socks, bold garments, and awkward poses go a long way in evoking a visceral response through his lens, tapping into a sort of uncanny realism.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-9-960x686.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-9-960x686.jpg\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a contorted figure sliding off the edge of a bed\" class=\"wp-image-471418\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Zank\u2019s work traveled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cargo_festival_photo?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Festival Cargo Les Photographiques<\/a>\u2014a.k.a. The Cargo Festival\u2014in Saint-Nazaire, France last summer. Since its debut in 2022, the annual event typically features several outdoor exhibition areas, highlighting contemporary photographers.<\/p>\n<p>The artist\u2019s plein air installation for the festival included large reproductions of images affixed to leaning wooden pallets and covering brick walls. The minimalist, Earth-toned portraits complemented their surroundings, scattered across sparse grounds.<\/p>\n<p>Zank is currently working on a series that is focused on capturing strangers in their own homes, rather than the constructed settings he typically employs. Find more from the artist on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/benzank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-4-960x720.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-4-960x720.jpg\" alt=\"an outdoor installation of surreal portraits by photographer Ben Zank\" class=\"wp-image-471414\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-10-960x768.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-10-960x768.jpg\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a figure clutching two legs, almost as if he is contorted in a tense way\" class=\"wp-image-471599\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-3-2-960x1200.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-3-2-960x1200.jpg\" alt=\"an outdoor installation of surreal portraits by photographer Ben Zank\" class=\"wp-image-471413\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-12-960x720.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-12-960x720.jpg\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a figure fully clothed in a bathtub with bubbles, looking into a mirror\" class=\"wp-image-471613\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-9-1-960x1174.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1174\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-9-1-960x1174.jpg\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a figure covered in arrow signs\" class=\"wp-image-471598\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-13-960x1173.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470818\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1173\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/zank-13-960x1173.jpg\" alt=\"a surreal portrait by photographer Ben Zankn depicting a figure wearing a pair of bold blue pants on his face, with glasses over them\" class=\"wp-image-471614\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 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The New York City-based photographer has a knack for turning ordinary settings and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1837651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1837651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837651\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1837651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1837651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1837651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}