Untitled (basketball team, Friends School) 1940

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled (basketball team, Friends School)" is attributed to Harris & Ewing. Editor: The ghostly pallor of this image makes me think of institutional structures, the way shared identity can be both formative and oppressive. Curator: The team portrait is a classic symbol of collective identity, a marker of belonging, and often, aspiration. Editor: But I also see the limitations of that shared identity, the way these young men are pressed into a mold. Look at the harsh light bleaching out any individuality! Curator: Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just the photographic process of the time, capturing more than just their faces, but the weight of expectations, the cultural ideals they embody. Editor: Well, whatever it is, the materiality and the process create a powerful statement. It’s far more than just a team photo. Curator: Indeed. It offers us a stark glimpse into the construction of identity. Editor: I agree, the negative format, the high contrast...it leaves a resonating impression.