Wales 29 1953

This is Robert Frank’s ‘Wales 29’, a photographic work of unassuming dimensions, capturing a whole world in monochrome. Frank's process feels raw and intuitive. It's like he's making contact sheets, those photographic negatives, into his canvas, complete with marks, scribbles and even the large number 24 painted onto it. It’s honest, it’s right there. What strikes me most is the texture. Each small frame, a world in itself, offers a stark contrast between light and shadow. Look how he’s embraced imperfections, the dust, the scratches, the uneven tones, all contributing to an emotional charge. In the middle row, the third image, a solitary horseman on a hill, it’s a tiny gesture, but a powerful one. Reminds me a bit of Gerhard Richter, both grappling with the weight of history, each in their own way. Art isn't about answers, is it? It’s about the questions we keep asking.