Untitled [New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, 2005] Possibly 2005 - 2010

Richard Misrach made this photograph, Untitled [New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, 2005], in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast. The image shows a modest brick house, presumably in New Orleans. Spray-painted on the boarded-up window are the words “Keep the Faith” and “SC TFH,” possibly short for St. Charles Task Force Housing, hinting at the bureaucratic response to the disaster. Misrach, who is known for his photographs of the American West, shifted his focus here to the devastation wrought by both natural disaster and governmental failures. The photograph encapsulates the profound sense of abandonment and resilience experienced by the residents of New Orleans, especially the Black community, who were disproportionately affected by the storm. The graffiti bears witness to the desperation and fortitude of people clinging to hope amidst loss. This photograph isn't just a document of destruction; it's a poignant reminder of the social and racial inequalities exposed by the disaster and the emotional toll on a community left to rebuild with broken promises.