Dona Nika in her Garden, Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, Brazil Possibly 1999 - 2001

Fazal Sheikh made this photograph of Dona Nika in her garden, in Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, Brazil. It's interesting how he uses black and white to flatten the image, as if he's trying to capture a memory. Look at the textures: the rough bark of the tree, the lines on Dona Nika's face, the softness of the leaves. The way the light falls on her skin makes her seem both present and distant. I keep coming back to her shoes – one worn and laced, the other a heavy boot, as though she is caught between two worlds. It makes me think about what it means to live on the land, and how our bodies carry the weight of our experiences. This photograph reminds me a little of August Sander’s portraits; both artists share an interest in capturing the human condition. Like Sander, Sheikh isn't just taking a picture; he’s inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, place, and history.