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

This is a photograph of Samuel P. "Pee Wee" West from the Lower West Side series, made by Milton Rogovin. It's a black and white image, full of subtle grays that create a rich, intimate feel. The composition is so immediate, almost confrontational. Pee Wee is sitting right there, and the textures draw you in. Look at the socks, a strong zig-zag pattern pulls against the softer texture of the grey robe. The light catches the wrinkles in his clothes, emphasizing his lived experience, the everyday. The photo feels really grounded in its textures; the worn out stool, the shoes on the floor and the way the light gently reflects off his skin. All these elements combine to evoke a strong sense of time and place. Rogovin reminds me a little of someone like Mike Disfarmer, an everyday sort of portraitist, recording and elevating images of everyday people and places. I think what’s so important in all of this is to remember that art is an ongoing process of seeing and feeling.