ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sandy Skoglund's Photographic Catastrophes

opinion-review · 2026-04-24

The article proposes a history of photography as a residue or substitute for another artistic activity—a photograph standing in for an unfulfilled dream of being a painter, sculptor, filmmaker, or architect. Sandy Skoglund's work is presented as an invitation to reconsider this notion, with her paradoxical catastrophes embodying the tension between medium and desire.

Key facts

  • The article discusses photography as a substitute for other artistic practices.
  • Sandy Skoglund's work is used as an example of this phenomenon.
  • The text was published in artpress in 1987.
  • The article suggests a historical re-evaluation of photography's role.
  • Skoglund's work is described as 'paradoxical catastrophes'.
  • The article was written by an unnamed author.
  • The original French title translates to 'The Paradoxical Catastrophes of Sandy Skoglund'.
  • The article is from the January 1987 issue of artpress.

Entities

Artists

  • Sandy Skoglund

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources