Untitled (portrait of bagpiper) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled portrait of a bagpiper by John Howell. It's a silver gelatin print, measuring approximately 10 by 8 inches. There is no date associated with the work. Editor: The high contrast almost gives it a spectral quality. I find myself drawn to the materiality of his costume – the wool, the metal accents, it all speaks to a specific cultural performance. Curator: Absolutely. Bagpipes are so tied to Scottish identity. Think about the complex history of Highland dress and its role in constructing national narratives. Editor: And the sheer labor involved! The weaving of the plaid, the crafting of the instrument itself. It suggests a whole network of makers and traditions. What do you think of the photographic process itself? Curator: The negative image certainly impacts the reading, as if he's emerging from the shadows of time, playing into romantic notions of heritage, wouldn't you say? Editor: It's a fascinating study of how social rituals and material culture intersect, and how photography mediates our understanding of them. Curator: Indeed, a confluence of visual elements, captured in a moment of constructed representation.