Wales 55 1953

Robert Frank created "Wales 55," a gelatin silver print, capturing a sequence of images on film. Frank, a Swiss-American photographer, is renowned for his raw, documentary style, which often explored themes of social alienation and cultural displacement. Here, we see his perspective on Wales, likely taken during his travels. The series of frames offer a fragmented narrative, hinting at the lives and landscapes he encountered. There are images of authority figures, crowds, and desolate winter scenes. Frank’s work often reflects a sense of unease and detachment, challenging the idealized images prevalent in mainstream media of the time. Frank once said that his goal was always to capture "what it feels like to be alive now." Through his lens, we confront the complexities of identity, belonging, and the human condition. The emotional weight of this work lies in its candid portrayal of ordinary life, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences of place and identity.