Aunts and Uncles 1973

Michael Jang made this photograph, titled *Aunts and Uncles*, sometime during his career. I love the way this piece captures the spontaneous moments of gathering with family. You can see the joy in their faces, even behind those crazy sunglasses! The textures in this image range from smooth skin to patterned clothing, all rendered in stark black and white. The contrast is what makes it so engaging – the dark glasses against the bright smiles. Look at the woman in the center clapping her hands; her gesture is so animated, so full of life. It’s these details that draw you in and make you feel like you're part of the party. It reminds me a bit of Diane Arbus’s work, the way she captured these quirky portraits. Like her, Jang finds beauty in the everyday, turning a simple family gathering into a work of art. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.