Iowa Artist of World Renown Gets Hometown Show

An Iowa native who’s quickly making a name for herself in the art world is getting a special “gift” for the holidays. For the first time, Anna Gaskell is showing her work in her hometown. After exhibits in New York, Zurick, London, Italy and Germany, you’d think Gaskell would be relaxed about bring her work to Des Moines. But the photographer says it’s actually kind of intimidating. Gaskell’s photos — most feature young girls — are often compared to movie stills because of their exaggerated cropping, lighting and brilliant color. Gaskell often uses films or fairy tales to inspire her work. The series of photographs on display at the Des Moines Art Center is inspired by E-T-A Hoffman’s short story “The Sandman” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” Some of the scenes in her photos were staged at Des Moines Metropolitan Hospital. Now, those Iowa kids and their parents can see the results of that work on display through March 2nd.