Transport 1953

This photograph, called Transport, captures a bunch of people loading boats onto a truck. I wonder about these figures, their expressions, and the textures of their clothing. What were they thinking as they worked? How did the labour feel? Look how these figures interact with the boats, the truck and each other. The composition of the scene emphasizes the physical demands of their labor. There's something really touching about the way the artist frames this moment, turning it into an observation of the work of their hands. And look how the black and white adds to the effect, removing colour and emphasizing shapes and movements. I think this artist is in a great conversation with lots of other artists, all talking about people at work and the movement of objects. It’s like they're all shouting at each other across time.