Delaware & Hudson Unit Coal Train, MTPL-I, Binghamton, New York 2 - 1990

This photograph of a coal train in Binghamton, New York, was made by James Welling. It’s black and white and at first, I thought it was a drawing. Looking closely, it feels like a memory. The tracks curve off to the right and lead the eye through a landscape of trucks, train cars and industrial equipment. The artist captures the scene in incredible detail. This train is going somewhere - a symbol of industry and travel through America. I wonder how Welling felt when he captured this photograph? The artist has an ongoing interest in the history of photography, and I see echoes of Walker Evans here, but with a more contemporary sensibility. It’s not just a picture of a train but a thoughtful look at how we see and remember the world around us. Photographs like these remind me that art is an ongoing conversation, with each artist bringing their unique eye to the subjects that inspire them.