"Count," Angola, Louisiana 19 - 1999

Deborah Luster made this image, "Count," in Angola, Louisiana, using the tintype process, which gives it a unique, otherworldly feel. The dark background and muted tones feel heavy, like a memory or a dream. Look at the surface. It’s not slick or perfect; you can see the traces of the artist’s hand in the imperfections and variations in tone. The way the light catches the bald head and the simple white t-shirt is striking. Then, there’s the moth, perched delicately on the shoulder. It's an odd detail that speaks to something hidden or unseen. The moth is small, but it holds so much weight in the picture, it becomes a symbol. I’m reminded of Robert Mapplethorpe’s portraits, that same starkness, the same way of finding beauty in unexpected places. Art is not about answers, but about the questions we ask along the way.