East 12th Street, New York before 1965

David Vestal captured this image, East 12th Street, New York, using photography, a medium that, like painting, hinges on light and shadow to define form. What grabs me here is the texture of the wall against which these kitchen utensils hang. Vestal’s keen eye captures every bump and imperfection, rendering the surface almost tactile. It’s like a dance between the mundane and the extraordinary, everyday objects elevated to a study in contrasts. The cast iron skillet, hanging heavy and dark, anchors the composition, while the wooden spoon stands tall and slender, a pale counterpoint. I notice the subtle gradations of light on the wall, how it softly illuminates the spoon while casting deep shadows behind the skillet. It’s as if Vestal isn't just documenting a scene, but really composing a still life. The quietude of Vestal’s photography is reminiscent of the work of Walker Evans, another artist who found beauty in the everyday. Both encourage us to slow down and consider the poetry of simple things. Ultimately, it’s in this quiet observation that the photograph speaks.