Untitled (portrait of parents with baby) c. 1965

Editor: Here we have John Howell’s striking photograph, "Untitled (portrait of parents with baby)." The inverted tones give the image an eerie quality. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The inversion is key. It disrupts conventional portraiture, forcing us to consider how representation itself can be an act of inversion, particularly within the dynamics of the nuclear family and its societal expectations. What power structures might this photograph subtly question? Editor: So, it's more than just a family photo? Curator: Precisely. It could be seen as a commentary on visibility and invisibility, who is brought into the light and who remains in shadow. The inversion creates a visual metaphor for the complexities of identity within a family unit. Editor: I see. It definitely changes how I view family portraits now. Curator: It's about challenging the surface and probing the depths of social constructs, even within something as seemingly simple as a family portrait.