A great number of Miranda Lichtenstein's photographs seem to document a dark and chaotic wilderness, occupied by more shadows than people. Undoubtedly drawn to forests and their boundaries, Lichtenstein uses these physical lands as stand-ins for subconscious landscapes. The subjects of her images are quite familiar and ordinary, but they are transformed by her lens into something far greater, and less sure. Through her images we are introduced to a world of tremendous beauty and equally powerful darkness. It is a delicate, and expertly crafted, balance.

Existing in stark counterpoint to these wild scenes is Lichtenstein's latest body of work, "The Searchers". Gone are the wild and uncontrollable environments of her previous work. They have been replaced with wholly artificial settings, and are occupied by a collection of human figures who seem to be in different states of transcendence or escape, a poignant counterpart to her early series such as "Lover's Lane", as these figures seem to strive to leave the landscapes that have been previously established.

It is perfectly fitting that the Guggenhein Museum in New York has chosen an image of hers, Floater, as the signature image for their newest exhibition: "Haunted". Lichtenstein's images raise significant questions of experience and perception, and reveal dark subconscious landscapes of pure emotion. Haunting stuff, indeed.

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