Untitled (Playground) c. 1965

Louis Draper’s “Untitled (Playground)” is a black and white photograph depicting a darkened playground at night, c. 1965. The composition focuses on a single puddle reflecting a bright light source, with the white lines of a hopscotch grid framing the bottom left corner. The interplay of light and dark, and the use of a long exposure, creates a sense of mystery and isolation. The image reflects on the experience of Black Americans in a public space, and Draper's larger body of work explores issues of race, class, and social justice in the United States.