California 2015

Richard Ross's photograph, simply titled "California," captures an intimate, yet unsettling scene within the California prison system. Ross is known for his exploration of social systems and institutions. Here he turns his lens to the complexities of incarceration. This image presents a confluence of power dynamics. We see an inmate positioned in a meditative pose, attempting to find peace within confinement. Simultaneously, a guard stands watch, embodying the authority and control that define prison life. The visual tension speaks volumes about the psychological landscape of imprisonment. Ross's work invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of those who are caught within the system, and the weight of institutional power. "California" challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, punishment, and the human condition.