About the Artist 

Arguably one of the most important living American photographers, Catherine Opie's work is an ongoing investigation into the identity of contemporary America and its cities, communities, and people. The structure of urban and suburban space and how communities begin to form and the identities that surround these communities is the connective tissue found within her work. Opie's work has always investigated the figure in relation to the landscape – she is an expert in both portrait and landscape and her work disregards the polarities typically found within these approaches. Opie's work offers reflection upon the authority vested in photography to communicate specific group parameters within a society and conversely how images amplify human individualization. 

Opening in September 2008 at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC will be a mid-career survey on Opie's work. She has been the subject of exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States. Recent solo exhibitions include Regen Projects, Los Angeles; the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; The Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis; Photographers' Gallery, London; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; and Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. 

About This Print 

We were thrilled when Cathy agreed to shoot our trailers to commemorate Side Street's 16th birthday. We refurbished these vintage travel trailers (manufactured by J.Paul Getty's Spartan Aircraft Corporation) and turned them into our first-ever "permanent" facility. For more info about Side Street Projects' exciting mobile initiative, please visit our website at www.sidestreet.org.