Wales 8 1953

Robert Frank made 'Wales 8' from a series of black and white photographs, mounted on board. You know, sometimes the mess of process IS the point. Look at these strips of images, and how Frank has marked them up with ink and paint, crossing out frames, making selections. The photos themselves are full of contrast, dark shadows, bright highlights, telling their own stories. But the physical act of layering the strips, marking them with these casual gestures transforms them. That big red '8' in the corner almost feels like a painting. The layering of images on the board gives it this tactile, collage-like feel. It reminds me a bit of Kurt Schwitters, who also elevated the everyday into art. It's all about how you choose, arrange, and then, crucially, mess with things. Art isn't about perfection, it’s about the conversation. It’s about what happens when you let things get a little rough around the edges.