Mother's #35 Possibly 2001 - 2014

This is Ishiuchi Miyako’s photograph, "Mother's #35," a close-up of a lipstick. What strikes me about this image is how it elevates the mundane. The lipstick isn’t just makeup; it’s rendered almost sculptural, like a weathered monument. See how Miyako plays with texture? The lipstick itself is worn, almost crumbly, contrasting with the cool, reflective surface beneath. This interplay makes me think about how we present ourselves to the world, and what gets left behind. The way the light catches the metallic sheen of the lipstick tube, it reminds me a little of some of Gerhard Richter’s paintings, where he blurs the line between abstraction and representation. I guess what I’m saying is, art can be anywhere if you’re looking. It’s about seeing the potential for beauty and meaning in the unexpected.