RWANDA. Tutsi refugee killed near the parish church of Nyarubuye. 1994

This image, taken by Gilles Peress, documents a Tutsi refugee killed in Rwanda, with the stark contrast of black and white heightening the horror. Looking at it, I'm struck by how the lack of color doesn't diminish the emotional impact; instead, it focuses our attention on form and texture. The photo's surface is rough, almost gritty. The dirt where the body lies seems to cling to everything, unifying the remains of a person with the earth. There’s a shadow that pools around the shirt, creating an almost painterly effect. It reminds me of Goya's black paintings, where darkness isn't just the absence of light but an active force. Photography and painting both share an ability to frame and abstract reality. Like a painter choosing a specific brushstroke, Peress uses the camera to capture a moment of profound loss, inviting us to reflect on the complex layers of history and humanity. Art, in the end, is never about easy answers.