Susan Page is an American artist famous for her research of places, religion and the understanding of women in different social and national contexts.

Her photographs reflect her trips within the U.S., Israel and Italy. She has examined various cultures and her accumulated impressions are gathered in her Standing Still exhibition on view at the ATA Gallery.

American critics have referred to the exhibition as a strange and haunting juxtaposition of forms shrouded in smoky and soft gradations of tone. The artist commented that the title of the exhibition is double-sided. "We are still here, we are still doing our things we are taking care of our families, still fighting for the right to have control over our bodies," she said.

Some of the pictures challenge viewers. Her work discusses questions regarding the way we construct identity in terms of nationality, religion, gender and beauty.

The many weeks spent in Israel made Page aware of the political tensions that segregate the Arab Israelis and the Bedouins in particular. "Just To Be" is a photograph featuring the experiences of women in these areas. In the image Page provides a rich contrast between the black drapery of Muslim clothes and the deep perspective of the location.

"A Question Of Beauty" is one of the central photographs. "It has become so important to me and my work. It asks questions about identity, feminism, altered bodies, the history of the body and how we see it," she said. Page considers women to be brave enough to speak for themselves and to be free to express their feelings.

After her breast was removed because of a cancerous growth, she found it difficult to accept the scar. It frightened her but she learnt to be brave. An innocent question from her son's classmate made her think of the breast as a symbol of femininity. "He asked me if I was a woman or a man because I was flat-chested," she remembered. For Page, the breast is a life-giving, voluptuous thing, which has changed from life-giver to life-taker (due to her breast cancer). "It is about the cycle of life for me as well," she said.

Black and white dominates Page's work and can be linked to the idea of being seen and unseen. Pictures of her friends Gale and Maria examine society's behavioural code. One friend is eager to become a nun in the States while the other has her whole face covered because of religious understanding. They are both part of a circular photo. "The spiral is representing the journey and that is why I like it sometimes," she said.

From her life experience Page has grasped the attitude of women towards women and how alike they all are.

For Page, the patriarchal society of the past is influencing our current life too much. Her future projects include the idea of projecting images of women onto the sides of buildings run by men.

Her photographs will be on view at ATA gallery until October 10. The exhibition is accompanied by an English-Bulgarian catalogue.