Untitled c. 1995

Joe Deal made this photograph, its title is "Untitled", without a date, it looks like he was thinking about process. The grayscale image shows a latticework of lines reflected in water, like a distorted grid made liquid, it’s all about these crisp intersections. The light catches the surface, creating concentric circles rippling out from each raindrop’s impact. It's a fleeting moment, captured. Look at how Deal lets the materials speak; he creates a beautiful world from a transient scene. The texture isn't in the thing itself, but in the light reflecting off the water; it is very ephemeral. In this work, Deal reminds me a little bit of Uta Barth, the way she works with light, and the blur, and those specific moments. Ultimately, the beauty of this piece lies in its ambiguity. We’re left to wonder about the world beyond the frame, embracing the questions rather than seeking answers.