Zachy and Gamal Sherif (Twins) 1985

Peter Hujar made this gelatin silver print of Zachy and Gamal Sherif, twins, sometime in the 20th century. It’s all about the subtle gradations of tone, a really intimate dance between light and dark. The twins are close together, almost entangled; their hands are clasped, with one twin’s arm draped around the other. It’s a gesture of intimacy and vulnerability. Look closely at the hands; the details are incredible. The lines, the knuckles, the way the light catches the skin. It’s like Hujar is inviting us to really see these two men, to acknowledge their presence. The contrast between the dark sweater on the left and the crisp white shirt on the right is striking. And this tension is so suggestive. Hujar reminds me a bit of Nan Goldin, another artist who captures the beauty and fragility of human connection. Both artists use photography as a way to document their lives, to capture moments of love, loss, and everything in between. There’s a sense of honesty and rawness in their work that’s really powerful.