Barbara Norfleet. February 24, 1997 1997

Editor: This is Elsa Dorfman's "Barbara Norfleet, February 24, 1997," a large-format Polaroid. There's a sense of quiet strength in the sitter. What can you tell me about this image? Curator: Considering Dorfman's work through a feminist lens, this portrait challenges traditional power dynamics. Norfleet, also a photographer, is depicted with agency, not as a passive object. The direct gaze and casual posture subvert expectations of female representation, don't you think? Editor: That makes sense. It's a very direct image, and she does seem self-possessed. Curator: Precisely. It raises questions about how women artists represent each other, moving away from the male gaze. We might also consider the photograph as a document of friendship and mutual respect within a specific artistic community. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully considered. It adds another layer of meaning. Curator: Indeed. It speaks to the power of collaboration and shared experiences in shaping artistic expression.