I found the work of Tina Barney whilst researching Richard Billingham. Barney was born in 1945 New York, to a wealthy family and was first introduced to photography when she was very young. She photographs large scale family portraits.
Her portraits are quite unnerving to view; there is always two sides to each image, which she controls by what the viewer is first drawn to, and then the secondary focus. This subtext element in her images is often contradicting and disturbing.
'Marina's Bedroom 1987'
'Jill and Polly in the Bathroom 1987'
'Graham Cracker Box, 1983'
Her images are always staged and there is purpose to everything she does; By the far right child staring at the photographer, displays family dynamics and shows how she may feel detached from her family.
'Daughter and Mother, 2002'
The lack of interaction between mother and daughter and the way they are both staring into the camera makes the viewer feel uncomfortable and gives the photograph a sinister feel to it.
