Untitled (four men in locker room) 1947

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by John Howell, taken at an unknown date, showing four men in a locker room. The image is a negative, which gives it a ghostly feel. What kind of statement might Howell be making about masculinity here? Curator: Interesting question. Considering the historical context, locker rooms were often exclusive spaces. How do the power dynamics shift when we consider who has access to these spaces, and who is excluded, both then and now? Editor: It's fascinating to think about how these seemingly mundane spaces can reflect broader social inequalities. Curator: Precisely. Understanding these layers encourages us to interrogate the narratives we take for granted. We can better question the assumptions behind these images.