Woman with Fan after 1958

Gordon Parks created this ethereal photograph, 'Woman with Fan,' at some point during his career. It's hard to know exactly what Parks was thinking when he made this image, but I imagine he was interested in the way that the fan could both reveal and conceal. The woman's face is partially hidden behind the fan, but her eyes are still visible, peering out at us. And the fan itself is decorated with an image of eyes, so we have this doubling effect, where we're seeing eyes through eyes. It's as if Parks is asking us to consider the act of looking, and the ways in which we can both see and be seen. Parks was also a master of light, and in this photograph, the light is soft and diffused, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The colors are muted, almost dreamlike, and the overall effect is one of great beauty and subtlety. It reminds me of other photographers like Roy DeCarava, who were interested in capturing the nuances of everyday life. Photography is an ongoing conversation, and Parks's work is a vital part of that dialogue.