Huancayo, Peru 1973

Ed Grazda made this photograph in Huancayo, Peru, sometime around now. It’s a grayscale shot of a woman sitting in what looks like a funeral home, coffins stacked behind her in a set of shelves. I can only imagine what it was like to take this photograph. I wonder if Grazda felt like an intruder while capturing this intimate moment. The woman’s gaze is so direct, yet there's a quiet resignation in her eyes. There's a ghost-like figure lurking in the background. It gives me the shivers. What a creepy place to have your studio! What strikes me most is the contrast between the ornate coffins and the simplicity of the woman's clothing and demeanor. It reminds me that art can be found in the most unexpected places, even in the face of death. This makes me think of other photographers who captured everyday life, like Robert Frank. Ultimately, art is about seeing the world in a new way and finding meaning in the mundane.