Untitled (woman in sailor's outfit seated on outdoor bench with three cats) c. 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings captures a woman in a sailor's outfit seated with three cats. The juxtaposition of the woman in uniform with the cats evokes a complex interplay of symbols. The sailor's attire traditionally represents duty, adventure, and connection to the sea. Here, the uniform might signify not only service but also a break from conventional roles. The cats, often associated with femininity, mystery, and independence, add a layer of complexity. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as divine protectors, emblems of grace and self-reliance. This reverence resurfaces through history, even as cats also appear as symbols of witchcraft or the uncanny. Perhaps on a subconscious level, the cats serve as a counterpoint to the rigid formality of the uniform, creating a tension between order and freedom. This tension invites us to consider how symbols evolve, carrying layers of cultural memory and adapting to new emotional landscapes, cycling through time and adapting to new meanings in different cultural contexts.