Samuel P. “Pee Wee” West (Lower West Side series) 1992

This black and white photograph captures Samuel P. “Pee Wee” West as part of Milton Rogovin's Lower West Side series. I imagine Rogovin, camera in hand, stepping into Pee Wee's world, a small room crowded with the essentials of life. There's an intimacy here. You can feel the weight of Pee Wee's gaze. The shadows play across his face, and his patterned socks add a touch of unexpected flair. Look at the way he holds the cigarette; it's a gesture that speaks volumes. Rogovin seems to be asking us to bear witness. This isn't just a portrait; it's a glimpse into a life, a story unfolding in the heart of the Lower West Side. It’s a reminder that art can be a powerful act of seeing and honoring the lives of others.