New York 1987

Editor: This is Rosalind Solomon’s “New York,” a black and white photograph from 1987. The three figures feel posed but still quite natural. There's an intensity in their expressions... What do you see in this piece, looking at it through the lens of imagery and symbols? Curator: Indeed, Solomon has a remarkable talent for capturing raw emotion and, yes, intensity. Consider the history of portraiture—it’s always been about power, status, and identity. In this context, the composition strikes me. The central figure, the mother, seems to embody both strength and vulnerability. But note her positioning: she’s flanked by her children. Do you think that might affect the power dynamic within the frame? Editor: That's a good point. I was so focused on the expressions, I didn't fully register the positioning. I can see her arm is sort of protective, like she's guarding the children in the image. Curator: Exactly! Look at the use of black and white. What emotions does this tonal choice evoke in you, versus if it were color? Editor: Well, color feels more vibrant and 'now', while black and white creates more sense of nostalgia, of distance and memory. Black and white pushes the work to something monumental, almost outside of time... It feels timeless, like something ancient. Curator: A keen observation! Consider how that resonates with cultural memory. The artist could be saying something profound here, connecting contemporary Black family life with generations past. Does that reframe your understanding of the photograph at all? Editor: It certainly deepens it! I'm thinking now about lineage, about roots, and how the symbolism enriches such a seemingly straightforward image. Curator: And hopefully provides a fresh point of reflection! It's amazing how photographs have that potent quality.