Dina is a photographer and Pop Surrealist with a background in editorial and documentary photography. For Dina photography is intended not to produce an aesthetic that echoes current beauty standards, but to evoke and wrest feelings of shame, anger, shock and empathy from the observer as to inspire insight into the human condition. Dina independently produces large scale tableau photographic series that are philosophical, satirical, technical and visually stunning.

Dina's experience as a documentary photographer complements her conceptual series — they inform each other technically and creatively. From her more candid work, she has learned that spontaneity and a lack of control are sources of inspiration. This has inspired trust in her instincts to nurture the most fleeting of concepts. For example, Fallen Princesses series was born in 2007 out of deep personal pain, when she raged against the “happily ever after” motif we are spoon fed since childhood. The series creates metaphor out of the myths of fairy tales, forcing the viewer to contemplate real life: failed dreams, addiction, obesity, Cancer, the extinction of indigenous culture, pollution, war and the fallacy of chasing eternal youth. By embracing the textures and colors created by Walt Disney, which built a multi-billion dollar empire exploiting these fairy tales, Fallen Princesses exposes the consumerism that has negated the morality of these ancient parables. It also begs the question, "How do we define the concept of ‘good’? and how do we live a ‘good’ life?”

Dina's second large scale project, In The Dollhouse, 2012 plays out in a 10 part sequential narrative, photographed in a custom built adult sized dollhouse. This time Dina takes on one of the most powerful symbols of Western culture: Barbie and Ken, the beloved and idealized American couple. More than any other childhood construct, Barbie represents the concept that `Beauty´ is the apex trait and is necessary to attain power and happiness. Her co-star Ken, who has been trapped in an imposed marriage for over three decades, discovers his authentic self and finally expresses his individuality. Barbie´s fate is grim in Goldstein´s hands, as she breaks down and confronts her own value and fleeting relevance.

Gods Of Suburbia, 2014 is Dina Goldstein's current series; An 11-part conceptual photography initiative analyzing religious faith within the modern context of technology, science and secularism. The project challenges the viewer — religious or secular to embark on a journey of self-reflection as they contemplate the relevance of ancient ethics and morals in a society characterized by materialism and consumerism.

Dina's work is exhibited in galleries and museums internationally. Her images have been recognized for their metaphorical and ironical messages. Highly controversial, they have garnered coverage in magazines and newspapers around the globe and continuously create dialogue within social media platforms. The projects has been subject to many written essays, dissertations, and mentioned in various literature. Dina's pieces are studied and taught in art schools, photography programs, gender and feminist ­­­courses. Dina is often invited to exhibit her work and speak to large groups.

Dina lives in Vancouver with her filmmaker husband, Jonas Quastel, her two young daughters, Jordan and Zoe, and their dog Taco.

2014
Prix Virginia, Solo, Paris, France: Jury Curated: Festival coordinators, Marie Descourtieux and Sylvia Schildge
Rencontres Internationales De La Photographie En Gaspe?sie, Quebec, Canada Jury Curated: Festival Director, Pauline Gaultier
Gods Of Suburbia
2013
Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India Curator: Igor Zanti / Arte Laguna
!In The Dollhouse
2013
Musee D’Orangie Paris, France, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Catalogue Curator: Marie-Paule Vial, director, Muse?e de l'Orangerie
Capture Photo Festival, XX, Retrospective, Vancouver, Canada
Capture Photo Festival , Kimoto Gallery, Vancouver, Canada, Curator: Katsumi Kimoto
Solo - Art Mur Gallery, Montreal, Canada Curator: Rheal Lanthier
Fallen Princesses
2013
Group- Musee Femme, Quebec Traveling exhibition, Curator: Marie-Eve Desautels
Brigham Young University Museum of Art, We Could Be Heros, Utah, U.S.A. Curator: Jeff Lambson
OUT / OFF - Mumbai, India Curator: Kanchi Mehta, Chameleon Art Projects 2012
Venice Arsenale, Arte Laguna, Venice, Italy, Curator: Igor Zanti
2011
Please Lie to Me, Art Mu?r's 15th Anniversary Group Show Splash, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
!2010
Bielsko-Biala FotoArt Festival, Poland, Curator: Inez Baturo
2009
Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver, Canada, Curator: Barrie Mowatt
Trackrecord
2005
Gallery L’Opera, 2004 Paris, France, Curator: Guy Berube La Petite Morte, Ottawa, Canada
!2004
Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.

GODS OF SUBURBIA - RICHARD GOODALL GALLERY MARCH 2015
IN THE DOLLHOUSE - FOTOMUSEO COLUMBIA MAY 2015

All publications and essays available on dinagoldstein.com