From the South Jetty, Clatsop County, Oregon A 1990

Robert Adams made this gelatin silver print, titled 'From the South Jetty, Clatsop County, Oregon A', and well, you can see how the process is part of the point here, right? Look at how Adams coaxes so many tones from a monochrome palette! The surface almost vibrates with subtle shades of grey. The water isn't just water; it’s a dance of light and shadow, each ripple a delicate mark. High up in the image, the clouds feel soft and yielding, like cotton wool. The horizon line, blurred and indistinct, invites you to look, and look again. Adams reminds me of Agnes Martin in a way. Both manage to say so much with an apparent minimum, making work about looking, about perception, and about our place in the world. It’s not about grand statements, but quiet contemplation. It feels less like a depiction of the world, and more of an invitation to pause and reflect.