Untitled (Davies family Christmas card; four images of family with text) 1964

Curator: This is an untitled work by Lucian and Mary Brown, a photographic Christmas card featuring the Davies family. Editor: It's quite striking, almost dreamlike with its inverted tones. The composition is very formal, a grid of family portraits. Curator: Yes, observe the use of symmetry within each quadrant. How the light and shadow play across their faces, creating a stark contrast. Editor: I'm drawn to the context of representation here. The family proudly showcasing different facets of their lives, perhaps challenging societal norms and asserting their identity through these carefully constructed images. Curator: Note the formal attire, the posed nature of each scene. It speaks to a deliberate construction of image and identity. Editor: For me, it raises questions about what it meant for a Black family to present themselves in this way, claiming space and visibility through a traditional medium. Curator: It offers a compelling framework for analysing the intersections of family history, photographic practice, and social identity. Editor: Precisely. An interesting convergence of personal narrative and broader cultural commentary.