Untitled (woman with boy and girl on couch) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph by John Howell, "Untitled (woman with boy and girl on couch)," shows an intimate family portrait. The negative gives it a ghostly feeling. What story do you think this image is trying to tell? Curator: The presentation as a negative is striking; it almost feels like uncovering a hidden memory. The family is arranged formally, posing in their best clothes, likely for a specific occasion. It's intriguing to consider who controlled the narrative here – the subjects or the photographer? Editor: That's a good point! It does make you wonder about the power dynamics at play. Curator: Exactly. The image raises interesting questions about the performative aspect of photography and the cultural values associated with family representation at the time. Food for thought!