Fascinating Portraits from “Forgotten” Staten Island in the 1980s

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After a spike in New York City rent, photographer Christine Osinski and her husband were displaced from their loft and in search of a new home. She wound up in Staten Island — New York’s “forgotten borough.”

The middle-class, suburban vibe was familiar to Osinski, who hailed from Chicago’s South Side. Yet, having just moved from the city, Staten Island felt almost exotic and slightly surreal. She explored her fascination with the neighborhood people and landscape in a series of black-and-white portraits, which we first spotted on Slate, shooting hundreds of images throughout the 1980s.

One of the photos is currently on view in a group show at the Sasha Wolf Gallery, where Osinski will also celebrate her first solo exhibition in September. Click through for a preview of Osinski’s Staten Island series.

Christine Osinski, Two Girls with Matching Outfits, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Children on Wrecked Car, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Young Man Pulling a Go-Kart, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Girl Looking Sideways, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Young Woman Cutting Grass, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Pre-Teen, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Two Shirtless Boys, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Friends at the Beach, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Boy Pointing Rifle at Car, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery

Christine Osinski, Elephant with Mother and Daughter Circus Performers, courtesy of Sasha Wolf Gallery