[no title] 1997

Curator: Tracey Moffatt created this black and white photogravure; its dimensions are roughly 61 x 76 centimeters. What is your immediate reaction? Editor: The scene feels desolate, yet the children playing inject a strange kind of hope. I'm struck by the contrast between the natural and the constructed. Curator: The use of photogravure speaks volumes; a process demanding immense labor to produce its rich tonal range. Moffatt’s choice elevates photography to craft. Editor: I'm drawn to the symbolism. The overpass looms, a symbol perhaps of division or the weight of societal structures. The children become allegorical figures. Curator: Precisely! Consider the material implications of that overpass, the concrete, its function, versus the children's simple game, their very material existence. Editor: And their clothing! The girl's uniform hints at institutionalization. It echoes a larger cultural narrative of childhood innocence juxtaposed with harsh realities. Curator: Yes, Moffatt is drawing attention to the processes that shape lives, particularly within marginalized communities. The materiality of place and being. Editor: It's a haunting image, reminding us of the complex layers of meaning woven into seemingly simple scenes. A powerful visual statement. Curator: I agree, and by considering material and process, we see how deeply Moffatt engages with those complexities. Editor: Moffatt’s work encourages us to examine the symbols of our world with a more critical eye.