The Dark Dreams of John Santerineross

PHOTOGRAPHY | JOHN SANTERINEROSS WORDS | ANDREW KAISER

At first his work seems dark and foreboding, like a misty fog full of treachery and unknown dangers. But let your eyes focus for a moment and you will instead see a story; one that is sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, and always fascinating.

When asked if nudity is really a necessary part of his work, John is quick to respond: “Often times my work will get an instant reaction because of the nudity,” states John when discussing his portfolio, “everything in my images means something and you have to look for the clues. Besides, being nude is beautiful and when you think about it no big deal.”

It is this contrasting view between the casual and the complicated that gives such power to the work of John Santerineross. His images use classic religious iconography that has been handed down in the realm of art for generations and yet when molded under his careful eye it becomes something entirely new. What were once images of hope and faith have now become symbols of despair and wonder. As viewers we cannot help but feel a slight pang of sympathy for his subjects and yet we find a certain beauty in them as well. Suddenly the act of looking the other way becomes impossible.

Santerineross continues: “My vision at first was cloudy, and my perception unclear. As my eyes adjusted, the darkness dissipated, I found myself lost in a realm of eroticism, religion and restraint.”

I don’t believe there is anyone who could argue that John Santerineross has a clear vision and something important to say with his work. Like all great artists, he is kind enough to allow us to figure out that message for ourselves. No two people will see the same thing in his work, and quite frankly, how could they? Images are so full of tiny details that the viewer’s eye is always drawn to someplace new with each viewing.

Every time a new detail is noticed, the meaning of his photographs is either changed completely or the original interpretation is reinforced. In some cases we have no choice but to simply see what we want to; other times our own perceptions are changed.

Perusing through the work of John Santerineross is like entering another reality, another dimension of human thinking. It is a murky, dark and foreboding realm where nightmares are reality, where the clarity of vision meets with the abstract qualities of the mind. The naked forms within are showcased as stoic centerpieces that are themselves part of a grander, seemingly more menacing vision. Bodies and body parts, shapes, and symbols are woven together to form something that is not meant to entice but instead to inspire.

The career of John Santerineross has led to the production of two books, Fruit of the Secret God published in 1999 and Dream in 2004. These days he can be found continuing his photographic work in his New Jersey studio while simultaneously producing short films which he hopes to show to the public very soon.