Memo Center with Wall Plaque c. 1975

Joanne Leonard made this photograph, "Memo Center with Wall Plaque," and it captures a humble scene of a wall-mounted phone amidst domestic ephemera. You can almost feel the artist’s eye carefully composing the shot, shifting her position and tilting the camera until the elements align. I can imagine Leonard thinking about the relationships between the objects—a wall plaque inscribed with wholesome sentiments, a light switch, a calendar, and a phone. The calendar is such a strong memento mori. The white phone and curtain feel like a ghostly presence, their forms echoing and amplifying each other. Leonard's wider practice often delves into themes of memory and place, echoing other artists like Sophie Calle, who also explore personal narratives through photography and text. It’s like she's saying that ordinary objects carry so much meaning. Her image makes me think about how artists are in a conversation, inspiring each other. We embrace ambiguity, inviting endless interpretations.