Untitled (well in Serae) c. 1860 - 1880

Curator: Willoughby Wallace Hooper’s photograph, "Untitled (well in Serae)," shows a well surrounded by people and animals. It evokes a sense of quiet, communal activity, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. The material presence of the well, the baked earth tones, and the thatched roof speak volumes about resourcefulness and daily labor. It’s a window into the lives of these people. Curator: And consider Hooper's role as a colonial administrator using photography as documentation. It raises questions about representation and the power dynamics inherent in image-making at that time. Editor: Indeed. While we observe the materiality of the well and the surrounding landscape, we must also acknowledge the colonial gaze framing this scene, influencing how it's both produced and interpreted. Curator: Exactly. The photograph itself becomes a material object reflecting these complex social and political issues. Editor: It makes you consider the labor involved not only in fetching water but also in the very act of producing this image, highlighting the layers of meaning embedded within this photograph.