Dona Antônia's Porch, Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, Brazil Possibly 1999 - 2001

Fazal Sheikh made this photograph, *Dona Antônia's Porch, Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, Brazil*, using photography. Looking at this image, what grabs me is the way it treats light and shadow. There’s a kind of softness, a blurring that feels almost like a memory. The texture is palpable; you can almost feel the rough surface of the wall, the delicate fronds of the plant. The composition is so thoughtful. A pair of worn boots sit to the side, telling a story of someone who's been walking in this place. Notice the plant, springing from a discarded container. The imperfection of it all is really beautiful. It's not about perfection, it's about life. This photograph reminds me a little of the work of Roy DeCarava. Both artists have a way of finding beauty in the everyday, elevating the mundane through careful observation and a deep understanding of light. Like all great art, this piece leaves you with more questions than answers. And that's exactly how it should be.