Untitled 1992

Editor: This striking photograph, simply titled "Untitled," was created in 1992 by Thomas Roma, using the gelatin silver print technique. It shows a woman holding a child, both with their hands raised. The high contrast of the black and white palette creates an intense emotional tone. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image speaks volumes about the Black experience and the intersectionality of faith, family, and societal expectations. Roma's choice of black and white grounds the image in a timeless quality, evoking historical photographic traditions while commenting on enduring social issues. The raised hands, a gesture often associated with worship, can also signify resistance, a claiming of space, or a reaching for something beyond the visible. What do you make of the setting and how it informs our reading of the subjects' expressions? Editor: The woman and child seem to be indoors. I am curious whether that tells us if they are caught in circumstances that constrict them. The fact that the setting feels a bit unclear also makes me focus on the emotion. Curator: Precisely. And if we consider the photograph in light of intersectional feminism, we see the layers of identity at play – race, gender, and class – influencing the subjects’ realities. Roma doesn't simply present an image; he invites us to consider how social structures impact individual lives. Where do you think Roma positions himself, as a photographer, within these structures? Editor: That's an important point. I hadn't really thought about the photographer's role. I now see it as less of a simple portrait and more of a commentary. Curator: Indeed. By prompting this, hopefully we see photography can become a tool for both documentation and social commentary. Thank you! Editor: Absolutely! The image certainly now prompts much more thoughtful consideration.