#09591 Amparo Segarra

The composition presents a fragmented narrative assembled from disparate photographic elements. A dominant central figure, a woman in a white cap, occupies much of the foreground; her face is partially obscured by a large, gloved hand raised in what appears to be a gesture of silencing or warning. The gloves themselves are strikingly detailed, drawing immediate attention and suggesting an element of formality or perhaps constraint.
Behind this central figure, a framed photograph acts as a backdrop. Within this frame, a group of individuals is arranged in a formal setting, possibly a staged portrait or a scene from a historical event. Numbers – 1924 – are prominently displayed within the frame, anchoring the image to a specific year and hinting at a potential commentary on that period. The figures within the photograph appear distressed, their expressions conveying anxiety or apprehension.
Further elements contribute to the overall sense of unease and disruption. A man in a suit stands frozen mid-gesture, his mouth open in what could be interpreted as a scream or a cry of surprise. To the right, another figure, dressed in a dark coat, holds a bouquet of red roses, an object that introduces a layer of symbolic complexity – potentially representing passion, sacrifice, or even violence. A staircase leads upwards into shadow, suggesting a path to something unknown or inaccessible.
The color palette is restricted and somewhat muted, with tones of brown, beige, and grey dominating the composition. The use of red in the roses provides a stark contrast, drawing the eye and intensifying the emotional impact.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of censorship, repression, and collective anxiety. The silencing gesture, coupled with the distressed expressions of the figures within the frame and the numbered date, suggests a commentary on historical events or societal pressures that might have led to suppression of voices or experiences. The juxtaposition of formal portraiture with fragmented elements creates a sense of disorientation and challenges conventional notions of representation. It is likely intended as a critique of power structures and their impact on individual expression.