Marilyn Suriani’s non-stop career has produced world class images, stunning documentaries and highly coveted fine art. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of museums, corporations, private individuals and in high profile public spaces, including two permanent exhibits at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Recently she undertook a new commission and produced a 10’ x 28’ water image, Liquid Emerald, one of the largest photographs on glass in Atlanta, in a signature high-rise office tower . "Waterway", her latest commission is a 54 linear foot tryptic in the lobby corridor of a high end luxury condo tower in Las Vegas reminding the viewer of water in short supply.
Marilyn has been awarded numerous grants to produce her many documentary projects, including the poignant and inspirational Storefront Churches Project featuring small urban non-corporate congregations. Some of these images are in the permanent collection of the High Museum of Art. Additionally, her raw account of her Women in Prison documentary focused on the women and their lives inside and South Philly, a 20 year documentary of her
Dancing Naked in the Material World, Suriani’s in-depth study and book of exotic dancers, received unanimous praise by critics nationally; the Philadelphia Inquirer calling it “fine urban anthropology”. The book and a NYC gallery exhibit resulted in numerous national radio and print interviews and reviews, and a TV show dedicated to the book on Sally Jesse Raphael. Images from this work were displayed in the “Deep South” Exhibition at the International Festival of Arles, France, curated by Gilles Morra, alongside such notables as Eudora Welty, William Christenberry, and Bruce Davidson.
Marilyn was chosen as an "artist in residence" at the L’Ecole Nationale de la Photographie in Arles, France and has been honored by the governor of Georgia for her “significant contribution to the visual arts”. Her work continues to be highlighted in national and international magazines, including Photo Vogue, Black and White, Camera Arts, Zeit, Moda, Behind the Shutter, and Codaworx.
Suriani is currently working on two bodies of work examining the environment: Waterscapes, depicting the lyrical and temporal qualities of light and water and Natural Selections, a study of the subtle compositions in nature. Suriani Women, portraits of women of all ages and Suriani's latest work, enables women to feel confident and esteemed by portraying their inner beauty and uniqueness.
