Picture Imperfect: Q&A with Karen Asher out in today's Post

After being introduced to the pics of Winnipeg's Karen Asher by a colleague last month, I thought she'd make a great interview for the National Post's Avenue page. Today, our phone chat was published in condensed form. Here's an excerpt:

Q All your photos are set in Winnipeg, where you live. Though they focus on individuals, do you think your images reflect the city in some way?

A Well, I don't have the money to go off and make a "destination" project. And there's something strange about Winnipeg being so isolated, about having to drive for two days to get to the next big Canadian city. Then the winters are just ridiculously freezing, like -40. So there's a sense of claustrophobia, of seeing the same characters day after day after day.

At the same time, I'm intrigued by the city. Those distinct seasons can make Winnipeg an amazing place to photograph-- the city goes from frozen to balmy in a blink. And I like its strange contradictions --funny and sad, cold but cozy. There's a dark, tough, strange undercurrent that gives the city its character.

Image from Karen Asher's website