Stasia Schmidt: Ephemerality

Stasia Schmidt is an acclaimed fine art photographer known for her keen eye for simplicity and form, as well as her meticulous attention to detail. Embracing unexpected surrealism in the natural environment, she skillfully layers subversive femininity with stark reality throughout her photographic process. Through the viewfinder, she embraces the untamed realm of imagination, using each photograph as an opportunity to deepen self-awareness and challenge perceptions. As a self-taught artist, Stasia taps into a deep well of inspiration, drawing from her love of music, dance, science fiction, and adventure. Her latest award winning project, “Ephemerality” is a testament to her ability to confront societal norms, prompting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions and perspectives. Stasia lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family.

Artist’s Statement:

Ephemerality (2022-2024) is a collection of photographs that draw on the themes of femininity and women in the harsh, wild landscapes and how their voices; and stories have long been relegated to a dusty, forgotten corner of irrelevance. The ghost embodies femininity in these spaces, but there is also an idea of impermanence. She exists in this realm and the next, reminding us of our own brevity and the delicacy of our beautiful earth. Femininity, wild spaces, and our unavoidable impermanence are very personal themes I wrestle with, and I was motivated to create imagery that embodies these topics, while the anonymity of the phantom invites the viewer to imagine a different perspective.