Seattle Possibly 1973 - 1994

Richard Gordon made this photographic print called Seattle, and what strikes me is how it’s both a picture of something and a picture about seeing. The soft gradients of grey here are beautifully done. The cloudscape behind the tent is mirrored in the subtle, textured surface of the canvas. The composition has a structural quality that is also really delicate; a line bisects the frame, with different shapes either side. It's so clever how the artist can create depth and flatness simultaneously. The subtle gradations of tone and soft focus also allow you to make your own journey through the image. You can choose to focus on the foreground or let your eye wander into the distance. This piece has a quiet, contemplative quality. It reminds me a little of the photographs of Bernd and Hilla Becher in the way it examines the form of vernacular architecture. It's a great reminder that photography, like painting, is never just about representation, but also about the art of looking.