Untitled 1979

Alex Jamison’s photograph captures three young men in an era defined by the burgeoning of street style and the assertion of identity. Here, the crossed arms, more than just a pose, echo a protective stance seen across cultures and epochs. Think of ancient sculptures where crossed arms signify power, defiance or the bound hands of captives, reflecting a complex interplay of vulnerability and strength. The money displayed can be interpreted as a modern-day symbol of status and aspiration, reminiscent of earlier status symbols like jewelry and robes. Yet, beneath the surface lies a tension. The shadows that cut across the image may evoke a sense of unease or conflict, tapping into our collective anxieties about visibility and representation. Such recurring themes, echoing in the images we create and consume, reveal the non-linear progression of symbols, constantly resurfacing in the theater of human expression.