Peru, page 33 1948

Robert Frank made this photograph, Peru, page 33, without a date, and in black and white. It's an interesting composition. The women in the image are wearing these incredible hats that create these looming geometric shapes. It's all about the contrast here, light and dark areas playing off each other. I'm drawn to the texture, the way the light catches on the fabric of their clothes. You can almost feel the roughness of the material, the worn quality of their garments. I really love the way Frank captured the shadows under the brims of the hats, like halos. I see something about the transient moment, a kind of stillness amidst the chaos of life. Frank is sort of a forefather to Nan Goldin in many ways. Both so good at capturing the grit and the beauty of everyday life. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be pretty or perfect. It can be messy, imperfect, and still be profoundly moving.