Curatorial notes
This is B.C. Boake’s photograph of Janny Macnab, a portrait captured in a carte-de-visite. Notice Macnab's hair, a cascade of golden waves, reaching almost to the hem of her dress. Hair, throughout history, has been a potent symbol. In ancient cultures, long hair was often associated with vitality, freedom, and even magical powers. Think of Samson, whose strength resided in his uncut locks. Yet, consider how this symbol shifts. During the Victorian era, like in this portrait, carefully styled hair became a symbol of respectability and femininity. Macnab's hairstyle reflects the societal expectations of her time, a delicate balance between natural beauty and the constraints of social norms. This tension reveals how symbols aren't static; they're constantly evolving, reflecting the collective anxieties, desires, and aspirations of a particular moment in time. Hair is a potent, visual carrier of cultural memory, reminding us of the ever-changing tapestry of human expression.
