Far From All That Allows: Corey Olsen

Corey Olsen’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at Julie Saul Gallery in New York City, following his first monograph, “Garage Still Lifes,” published by Silent Sound Books. Olsen also shoots commissions for clients including Nike, Alexander Wang, Kenzo, and Helmut Lang.

“The Photographing of America is a large order — read at all literally, the phrase would be an absurdity,” wrote Robert Frank in his application for a Guggenheim Fellowship in Photography in 1954.

Zak Krevitt, Molly Matalon, Corey Olsen, Pat O’Malley, Tim Schutsky, and Caroline Tompkins, six contemporary photographers following in Frank’s footsteps, are well aware of the inherent absurdity of photographing the entire United States. Instead of taking on the task alone, they are going at it together, working in collaboration while honing their individual perspectives. And in the process, they are forming a new wave in American photography. Graduates of the School of Visual Arts’ (SVA) BFA Photography program, the members of this group solidified steadfast bonds while still in college, seeking out community and connections whenever possible.