Gussie on a Bed with Flowers 1987

"Gussie on a Bed with Flowers" is a poignant black and white photograph by Joan Cassis. The image depicts Gussie, an elderly woman, sitting on a bed entirely covered in flowers. The photograph’s stark contrast and the soft, diffused light illuminate the subject’s thoughtful expression and the serene, yet somber, mood of the scene. Cassis, who was known for her evocative portraits of marginalized communities, often explored themes of aging and mortality, making "Gussie on a Bed with Flowers" a powerful meditation on these themes.