Masonic Lodge, Sherbrooke, Quebec 1978

Lynne Cohen's black and white photograph, "Masonic Lodge, Sherbrooke, Quebec", invites us into an enigmatic, staged interior. Cohen, known for her photographs of institutional spaces, captures a room dominated by a grid of framed portraits, each depicting men in ceremonial garb. These images evoke the secretive world of fraternal organizations, hinting at themes of power, exclusivity, and male bonding. The carefully arranged portraits create a sense of order and tradition, yet the uniformity also suggests a loss of individuality within the group. The two leather chairs and a small table in the foreground further enhance this sense of staged formality, inviting viewers to contemplate the rituals and social dynamics that might unfold in such a space. Cohen’s work often explores how space can reflect and shape social structures. Here, the masonic lodge becomes a stage upon which we can examine the performance of identity and belonging. The photograph leaves us pondering the complex interplay between individual expression and collective identity, challenging conventional understandings of community and power.