Call it wonderful. Call it weird. But to this foodie, English artist, James Ostrer’s series of junk food portraits called “Wotsit All About” makes some deeply profound and darkly humorous observations about our consumption patterns and health. The anthropological candy colored photographs are a fashion spread of the junk food that is killing us. And instead of ranting at us, instead of shaming us, Ostrer revels in it. His cathartic experience in kicking a life long battle against junk food meant eight hours at a time for models, breathing out of a single nostril, and an $8,000 investment in candy, cold cuts, fast foods. Sugar coated bare breasted models are slathered in a sugary appearing cream cheese plaster and fatty adornments. We are reminded of tribal images of the past, where proud warriors and leaders presenting dramatic headdresses, or elaborate ceremonial masks to a unflinching camera. While these models display a different pride, one of everted consumption. The messages here are hugely relevant in our consumerist culture. Sugar highs and fast food lows are an epidemic, obesity runs rampant and children can’t recognize vegetables, but easily recite the jingles of favorite food commercials, and much like the popular adage, “you are what you eat” has literally come to life.
