Michael Petrelis 1993

This artwork, Michael Petrelis, by Nancy Andrews, captures a moment, maybe a protest, maybe just a really intense conversation, through the lens of a camera. It’s all about contrasts – black and white, light and shadow, stillness and blur, anger and maybe... hope? Look at the way the focus softens around the edges, like the world is moving too fast to keep up, yet the center remains sharp. It's a good photo! The texture in this piece comes from the grain of the film itself, which gives it a raw, almost tactile quality. The face is really something, isn't it? The open mouth, the creased brow—it’s like you can hear the roar, even in a silent image. And notice how the sign he’s holding is both a message and a shield. For me, this piece is like a stripped-down version of some of Carrie Mae Weems' black and white photographs, both diving deep into the stories we tell ourselves and each other. It reminds us that art doesn't always have to be pretty, it can be a scream into the void.