New York 1987

This is Rosalind Solomon’s photograph, titled "New York", printed on gelatin silver. It's fascinating how Solomon captures a moment, a feeling, with such stark simplicity. Look at the way the light falls across the subject’s face, creating a contrast that’s almost sculptural. The grayscale palette emphasizes the textures – the rough bark of the trees, the fabric of the t-shirt, the smooth skin. It’s a study in contrasts, light and dark, soft and hard, which is something I always find myself chasing in my paintings. There's a mark of the real here, this is a scene that could be anywhere, yet it is somewhere specific. Solomon's work reminds me a little of Diane Arbus, in the way she captures the everyday with such intensity. Both were able to create an ongoing conversation about our sense of place and identity. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about asking the right questions.