Controversial Self Portraits By Finnish Photographer Iiu Susiraja
Some of us use selfies as a vain form of self-expression, trying to make ourselves look richer, happier or more beautiful than we really are. Finnish photographer Iiu Susiraja, however, turns this concept of the selfie on its head by taking brutally honest, surreal and unflinchingly funny self-portraits using her own body and other objects as props.
“Posing, creating a fashion-conscious and outgoing image is the modern person’s catechism,” an art critic writes on Susiraja’s website. “Susiraja turns this ideology of success upside down and laughs as she does it.”
More info: iiususiraja.com (h/t: lostateminor, ignant)
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Share on FacebookI love her. Brilliant an innovative. Such creative pictures. Parodying the ridiculous worlds of fashion and food industry.
And she seems to be able to do it better than most of us! I don't know what LászlóKiss has a problem with. They're great photos!
Load More Replies...Iiu Susiraja, Love you for your funny and creative side, the broomstick one is the top of them all
Love it, from someone who knows who she is and accepts it with grace and humor and creativity!
I love what she does. Breaks through the endless and fruitless pursuit of perfection. Rejoicing in humor and being yourself.
A true selfie:) skip the filters and and be your true self is what she's saying through her portraits. Bravo
she's a genius and I love her! the one with the heels in plastic bags is superb!
self portraits have become pretentious and bland. i can only imagine the outlook she must have on life. super like and made me smile
so what shes overweight....Laszlokiss mabeyshes happy the was she is and doesnt think she needs help...
I like it. I wonder if i would be brave enough to have my boobs hold a broom up in a selfie.
I knew all the male commenters would be all "But ewww, she's so fat, what a tragedy!" (Tragedy that not all women are "fuckable").
Kudos to her for putting herself out there, defying cultural beauty standards.
I think she just really doesn't give a flying ef... Having a good laugh seeing the amount of thought people are putting into this...
The power of the self expresión!! The capacity to accept herself as she looks, able to confront any criticism, or acceptance from the world.
Fantastic! In a Roy Andersson way, but with her on twist! People who don't understand this don't understand art or visual expression.
I like that she has a sense of humor about herself. She seems to accept herself just the way she is, and that is attractive to me.
the rug? like she gets walked on? I see humor disguising anguish. Parody? maybe. Some of the funniest people on earth are often the saddest.
I like her sense of humor and her ability to not take herself to seriously
love these photos! they are real, and funny and surreal at the same time. Keep going, Liu!
Wow...Extraordinary...odd/thought provoking/wonderful/disturbing...speechless/but not quite..
Extraordinary...left me speechless...but the voices is my head are on overtime....!
picture 1.........domesticated woman ...2...squeezing into shoes all for fashion.....3..meat on a plate...4....all tits and tights...5..shup
She really made some meaningful art... Love the idea and the gallery, thumps up and keep the good work liu :)
it's good to be different, were we all exactly the same the world would be an even more troubled place than it already is, thankyou
What a good ideea , really cool ...ironical real life situations , good job!
Excellent sarcasm. I love the pantyhose picture. Those ridiculous and hugely poorly designed male invention!
I think she's really quite beautiful. Heavy, yes, but underneath the self deprecating humour, a real gem.
nice pics! nothing too fancy just an average person with a cool creative view!
I think these are brilliant. This is refreshingly mundane and quirky at the same time! I am absolutely inspired by this theme and her 🖤
On my blog you can find my article about your awesome work with the reference to this article ;) barbarapicci.com/2014/12/20/iiu-susiraja/
Finland has some awesome artists and filmmakers.This series is very original and welcoming.Great work
Disturbing but flipping brilliantly funny, she needs an award. Love her xxxxxx
I see strength, deadpan humor, intelligence, poking fun at perceptions. There is an iconoclastic, provocative aspect too. Be well!
I love her sense of humor and playfulness with fashion! Great photos, I'll bet she had fun taking them!
Controversial???... To what exactly?.. Common sense maybe?.. Photographer... Em...Focus...Exposure... Does it exist here?.. Disappointing.
Creative, innovative, demanding critique and analysis as art, not judgement of the artist. Brava!
Creative, innovative, demanding critique and analysis as art, not judgement of the artist. Brava!
I don't know what this is, but its not art, i'm sorry, i don't want to sound rude, but this is garbage, i mean come on, a rug over her face.
She planned, posed and then took those photos. She made a statement about herself. A brave thing to do.
I really don't see the art in this, holding a broom with ur breasts....... what does that symbolize? I'm confused
WTF, Shes acting like she's a freak in a freak show, just because she's fat doesn't mean she should degrade herself in poses like this.
I think she has reached her goal in stirring up a multitude of opinions and emotions.
They are very boring, sad pictures. Acting out, like a 2/3 year old, is almost always a plea for help
These images had me forgetting I was in pain. Whatever your personal viewpoint is... I simply could not stop laughing. What comes next?
Very uniquely expressive and creative self portraits. I would like to see more of her work.
i think nobody ever said or whispered or hinted anything to her that didn't pierce her heart. This is an exorcism, a confrontation. Bravery.
I see a girl comfortable w herself, emulating predefined ideas and concepts. SStrong in herself. Well done.
I think she's a person in pain and trying to hide it by making fun of herself before others do. There is no smile in her eyes, nor mouth.
Ok, remember this is a Finnish artist, I laughed till I cried and then felt guilty for one second then went back to laughing!
There is -- without question -- lament and depression intended in the art. It isn't _just_ a parody of fashion and contemporary "beauty".
Those of you defending this as a purely creative, self-enabled endeavor are ALSO missing the point, as much as the people who feel nothing
Load More Replies...I think she's posing really great ideas about media.. and how we forget were human.. and she is showing us the human mind and how we react
I did this once - I picked up a spoon and stuck it in my ear, then took a pic. Then I ate it.
I look almost just like her, size and all. I do get her self depreciating humor along with the sadness. If some find this funny, let em be
Subject has no self-esteem and photographer is way out of bounds. Self-destructive people need help, not ridicule. God help both of you.
Admire her guts for taking these pictures! Honest, funny and sad at the same time... Bravo!
Interpretation is a totally personalised thing. My first impression was "this is funny", followed by "it's sad". Study of the "Pathetic".
I don't really understand why there's a discourse about who is right and who got it all wrong when it come to interpretation.
She rocks! I like her pictures much better than any self loving twit s posting pictures no one really wants to see.
She has a strange and dark sense of humor.. she hates what she sees in the mirror but she has a beautiful way of expressing that feeling..
Wondering if those who call it art would still think the same if same scenarios/props were used by an average weight woman.
As an obese person, in my humble opinion, she is not happy. This is a cry for help.
She does not compromise her point of view - of you looking at here - it is art at its best.
These photos should be no more controversial than pictures in magazines. This artist is able to show the deep self- loathing we all have.
I think these portray a very lonely woman who has a lot of animosity toward herself. I wish I could help her see her beauty and worth.
The photos are innovative, I just hope that she is happy as she comes across to me as sad; set goals, be happy 1 day at a time
This is so horrible to make fun of these people publicly. I cannot believe what the American population has come to.
A very unique way of conveying societies thoughts on obese women and how we treat them. Kudos on your creations.
I like her. I wonder if i will ever be brave enough to have my boobs hold up a broom in a selfie. :)
Why does this even get attention? Typical case of "art". People need to stop taking themselves so serious.
Nom d'un macaque en rut à Monaco ! Mais arrêter de poster de telles saloperies sur internet ! Je vous ai rien fais ! Laissez moi ! XD
They're brilliant, but are they selfies if you're not holding the camera?
Incredible art ! It cannot be anything else than art. Chapeau à cette dame!
The best were the heels taped on. If someone wants me to wear high heels, that's how I should wear them! They are torture devices.
Love these! Wonderfully creative and very in your face for the expectations of females!
These really challenge how we present ourselves to the world and how we view ourselves too. Very original, countercultural.
These are amazing- really challenge how we view ourselves and present ourselves to the world.
Tiffany, the shoes taped to her legs is the closest those tools of torture will get to being worn on her feet. (I think that's her point)
What a beautiful woman! I have always hated selfies unless they were "real". She is the sarcasm queen today!! My favorite is the treadmill.
It's the tragedy she faced in a simple & plain form. Simple as the reality of her obesity without any silver lining W-society do–see below.
I honestly dont even understand. Its just an average person taking silly photos? Why is that special?
With an overabundance of ugliness and unflattering moments/images in our everyday lives why would anyone want to purposely create them?
ESPECIALLY a "professional" photographer! Maybe she's NOT a pro but it certainly is implied......
Load More Replies...I feel sorry for this lady, I do not find her photos humorous at all, I can only think she has very low self esteem.
This woman is obviously quite comfortable in her own skin and doesn't consider the physical shortcomings to be her personality flaws.
Load More Replies...For me thats no art and nothing .. She looks verry sad and not like having fun or enjoing it.. Everybody can do that nothing special..
This doesn't look like photography. They just look like candid photos. Great that she has a sense of humor, but this isn't photography.
She's brave to do it, I'll give her that much. But it leaves me feeling a bit meh... Not that skilful or ground breaking & too cliche.
horrible!!! why the photos are ridiculing fat women ? people are fat for different reasons you don't know!
Made me sad. I know the look in her eyes. Seems really mean to herself.
The test for perky boobs used to be unable to hold a pencil under your breasts. A BROOM ?!?!?!?
Exactly! A broom instead of a pencil. I see the sarcasm there. Why should we be sticking anything under?
Load More Replies...I think she shouldn't make fun of herself . She has a pretty face. Just needs to lose some weight; feel better and look great.
I think she has all the right to do it. If there's anything healthy about these pics it's her sense of humor. She's got balls :D
Load More Replies...I dont understand the one with the high heels taped to her legs...can anyone explain?
She's wearing them. Just not where society says to wear them.
Load More Replies...Yep....would defo smash all the back doors in to all these fit fatties
Funny, and made me realize the serious need to realize our need of working to become healthier , responsible for our habits !
Ok...now that this "artist" has had her 15 minutes of fame pandering to the lit/art/film crit crowd, can we move on to someone with talent?
I think most of them are just ridiculous and I wouldn't consider them art at all. I think she should just focus on getting healthy.
All I see is a bunch of obese women being exploited so the photog can make her 'art'. And the photos aren't even that good. Terrible, mean.
It's one woman, and the woman photographed is the photographer. Hence, the reference to selfies.
Load More Replies...No depth? That she will put herself out there, as is with nothing to buffer her from mean comments like yours? Brave.
Load More Replies...Stop commenting about other people and get yourself a personality
Load More Replies...I love her. Brilliant an innovative. Such creative pictures. Parodying the ridiculous worlds of fashion and food industry.
And she seems to be able to do it better than most of us! I don't know what LászlóKiss has a problem with. They're great photos!
Load More Replies...Iiu Susiraja, Love you for your funny and creative side, the broomstick one is the top of them all
Love it, from someone who knows who she is and accepts it with grace and humor and creativity!
I love what she does. Breaks through the endless and fruitless pursuit of perfection. Rejoicing in humor and being yourself.
A true selfie:) skip the filters and and be your true self is what she's saying through her portraits. Bravo
she's a genius and I love her! the one with the heels in plastic bags is superb!
self portraits have become pretentious and bland. i can only imagine the outlook she must have on life. super like and made me smile
so what shes overweight....Laszlokiss mabeyshes happy the was she is and doesnt think she needs help...
I like it. I wonder if i would be brave enough to have my boobs hold a broom up in a selfie.
I knew all the male commenters would be all "But ewww, she's so fat, what a tragedy!" (Tragedy that not all women are "fuckable").
Kudos to her for putting herself out there, defying cultural beauty standards.
I think she just really doesn't give a flying ef... Having a good laugh seeing the amount of thought people are putting into this...
The power of the self expresión!! The capacity to accept herself as she looks, able to confront any criticism, or acceptance from the world.
Fantastic! In a Roy Andersson way, but with her on twist! People who don't understand this don't understand art or visual expression.
I like that she has a sense of humor about herself. She seems to accept herself just the way she is, and that is attractive to me.
the rug? like she gets walked on? I see humor disguising anguish. Parody? maybe. Some of the funniest people on earth are often the saddest.
I like her sense of humor and her ability to not take herself to seriously
love these photos! they are real, and funny and surreal at the same time. Keep going, Liu!
Wow...Extraordinary...odd/thought provoking/wonderful/disturbing...speechless/but not quite..
Extraordinary...left me speechless...but the voices is my head are on overtime....!
picture 1.........domesticated woman ...2...squeezing into shoes all for fashion.....3..meat on a plate...4....all tits and tights...5..shup
She really made some meaningful art... Love the idea and the gallery, thumps up and keep the good work liu :)
it's good to be different, were we all exactly the same the world would be an even more troubled place than it already is, thankyou
What a good ideea , really cool ...ironical real life situations , good job!
Excellent sarcasm. I love the pantyhose picture. Those ridiculous and hugely poorly designed male invention!
I think she's really quite beautiful. Heavy, yes, but underneath the self deprecating humour, a real gem.
nice pics! nothing too fancy just an average person with a cool creative view!
I think these are brilliant. This is refreshingly mundane and quirky at the same time! I am absolutely inspired by this theme and her 🖤
On my blog you can find my article about your awesome work with the reference to this article ;) barbarapicci.com/2014/12/20/iiu-susiraja/
Finland has some awesome artists and filmmakers.This series is very original and welcoming.Great work
Disturbing but flipping brilliantly funny, she needs an award. Love her xxxxxx
I see strength, deadpan humor, intelligence, poking fun at perceptions. There is an iconoclastic, provocative aspect too. Be well!
I love her sense of humor and playfulness with fashion! Great photos, I'll bet she had fun taking them!
Controversial???... To what exactly?.. Common sense maybe?.. Photographer... Em...Focus...Exposure... Does it exist here?.. Disappointing.
Creative, innovative, demanding critique and analysis as art, not judgement of the artist. Brava!
Creative, innovative, demanding critique and analysis as art, not judgement of the artist. Brava!
I don't know what this is, but its not art, i'm sorry, i don't want to sound rude, but this is garbage, i mean come on, a rug over her face.
She planned, posed and then took those photos. She made a statement about herself. A brave thing to do.
I really don't see the art in this, holding a broom with ur breasts....... what does that symbolize? I'm confused
WTF, Shes acting like she's a freak in a freak show, just because she's fat doesn't mean she should degrade herself in poses like this.
I think she has reached her goal in stirring up a multitude of opinions and emotions.
They are very boring, sad pictures. Acting out, like a 2/3 year old, is almost always a plea for help
These images had me forgetting I was in pain. Whatever your personal viewpoint is... I simply could not stop laughing. What comes next?
Very uniquely expressive and creative self portraits. I would like to see more of her work.
i think nobody ever said or whispered or hinted anything to her that didn't pierce her heart. This is an exorcism, a confrontation. Bravery.
I see a girl comfortable w herself, emulating predefined ideas and concepts. SStrong in herself. Well done.
I think she's a person in pain and trying to hide it by making fun of herself before others do. There is no smile in her eyes, nor mouth.
Ok, remember this is a Finnish artist, I laughed till I cried and then felt guilty for one second then went back to laughing!
There is -- without question -- lament and depression intended in the art. It isn't _just_ a parody of fashion and contemporary "beauty".
Those of you defending this as a purely creative, self-enabled endeavor are ALSO missing the point, as much as the people who feel nothing
Load More Replies...I think she's posing really great ideas about media.. and how we forget were human.. and she is showing us the human mind and how we react
I did this once - I picked up a spoon and stuck it in my ear, then took a pic. Then I ate it.
I look almost just like her, size and all. I do get her self depreciating humor along with the sadness. If some find this funny, let em be
Subject has no self-esteem and photographer is way out of bounds. Self-destructive people need help, not ridicule. God help both of you.
Admire her guts for taking these pictures! Honest, funny and sad at the same time... Bravo!
Interpretation is a totally personalised thing. My first impression was "this is funny", followed by "it's sad". Study of the "Pathetic".
I don't really understand why there's a discourse about who is right and who got it all wrong when it come to interpretation.
She rocks! I like her pictures much better than any self loving twit s posting pictures no one really wants to see.
She has a strange and dark sense of humor.. she hates what she sees in the mirror but she has a beautiful way of expressing that feeling..
Wondering if those who call it art would still think the same if same scenarios/props were used by an average weight woman.
As an obese person, in my humble opinion, she is not happy. This is a cry for help.
She does not compromise her point of view - of you looking at here - it is art at its best.
These photos should be no more controversial than pictures in magazines. This artist is able to show the deep self- loathing we all have.
I think these portray a very lonely woman who has a lot of animosity toward herself. I wish I could help her see her beauty and worth.
The photos are innovative, I just hope that she is happy as she comes across to me as sad; set goals, be happy 1 day at a time
This is so horrible to make fun of these people publicly. I cannot believe what the American population has come to.
A very unique way of conveying societies thoughts on obese women and how we treat them. Kudos on your creations.
I like her. I wonder if i will ever be brave enough to have my boobs hold up a broom in a selfie. :)
Why does this even get attention? Typical case of "art". People need to stop taking themselves so serious.
Nom d'un macaque en rut à Monaco ! Mais arrêter de poster de telles saloperies sur internet ! Je vous ai rien fais ! Laissez moi ! XD
They're brilliant, but are they selfies if you're not holding the camera?
Incredible art ! It cannot be anything else than art. Chapeau à cette dame!
The best were the heels taped on. If someone wants me to wear high heels, that's how I should wear them! They are torture devices.
Love these! Wonderfully creative and very in your face for the expectations of females!
These really challenge how we present ourselves to the world and how we view ourselves too. Very original, countercultural.
These are amazing- really challenge how we view ourselves and present ourselves to the world.
Tiffany, the shoes taped to her legs is the closest those tools of torture will get to being worn on her feet. (I think that's her point)
What a beautiful woman! I have always hated selfies unless they were "real". She is the sarcasm queen today!! My favorite is the treadmill.
It's the tragedy she faced in a simple & plain form. Simple as the reality of her obesity without any silver lining W-society do–see below.
I honestly dont even understand. Its just an average person taking silly photos? Why is that special?
With an overabundance of ugliness and unflattering moments/images in our everyday lives why would anyone want to purposely create them?
ESPECIALLY a "professional" photographer! Maybe she's NOT a pro but it certainly is implied......
Load More Replies...I feel sorry for this lady, I do not find her photos humorous at all, I can only think she has very low self esteem.
This woman is obviously quite comfortable in her own skin and doesn't consider the physical shortcomings to be her personality flaws.
Load More Replies...For me thats no art and nothing .. She looks verry sad and not like having fun or enjoing it.. Everybody can do that nothing special..
This doesn't look like photography. They just look like candid photos. Great that she has a sense of humor, but this isn't photography.
She's brave to do it, I'll give her that much. But it leaves me feeling a bit meh... Not that skilful or ground breaking & too cliche.
horrible!!! why the photos are ridiculing fat women ? people are fat for different reasons you don't know!
Made me sad. I know the look in her eyes. Seems really mean to herself.
The test for perky boobs used to be unable to hold a pencil under your breasts. A BROOM ?!?!?!?
Exactly! A broom instead of a pencil. I see the sarcasm there. Why should we be sticking anything under?
Load More Replies...I think she shouldn't make fun of herself . She has a pretty face. Just needs to lose some weight; feel better and look great.
I think she has all the right to do it. If there's anything healthy about these pics it's her sense of humor. She's got balls :D
Load More Replies...I dont understand the one with the high heels taped to her legs...can anyone explain?
She's wearing them. Just not where society says to wear them.
Load More Replies...Yep....would defo smash all the back doors in to all these fit fatties
Funny, and made me realize the serious need to realize our need of working to become healthier , responsible for our habits !
Ok...now that this "artist" has had her 15 minutes of fame pandering to the lit/art/film crit crowd, can we move on to someone with talent?
I think most of them are just ridiculous and I wouldn't consider them art at all. I think she should just focus on getting healthy.
All I see is a bunch of obese women being exploited so the photog can make her 'art'. And the photos aren't even that good. Terrible, mean.
It's one woman, and the woman photographed is the photographer. Hence, the reference to selfies.
Load More Replies...No depth? That she will put herself out there, as is with nothing to buffer her from mean comments like yours? Brave.
Load More Replies...Stop commenting about other people and get yourself a personality
Load More Replies...
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