Untitled (men with trophy) c. 1960

Curator: My goodness, everyone looks rather ghostly in this negative! It's as if they're peering from a half-remembered dream. Editor: That's an interesting way to put it. This is an untitled gelatin silver print by John Howell, simply called "(men with trophy)." Curator: The trophy is so prominent, as is the handshake. I would guess this image documents an award of some kind, perhaps a golf tournament? Editor: Precisely! These ceremonies often reinforce a particular image of success and competition, but this image also strikes me as very strange. Curator: Yes, something very eerie about the negative. Still, it is a powerful moment, an interesting portrayal of triumph and recognition. Editor: I agree. It is a compelling piece. A reminder of how power can be so publicly presented.