Photograph by
Platon, British, born 1968
Subject of
Wek, Alek, South Sudanese, born 1977
Date
2014; printed 2019
Medium
pigment on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 19 3/4 × 15 3/16 in. (50.1 × 38.5 cm)
H x W (sheet): 24 × 20 in. (61 × 50.8 cm)
H x W (matted): 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Alek Wek, by Platon. Wek is depicted fully in black shadow sitting precariously on a white rectangular box that is tilted backwards on its back edge. Wek is featured at the center, in profile, and fully seated on the box. She is leaning forward with her elbows resting on her knees. Her forearms are slightly lifted and her hands are dangling loosely in front of her. She has bright metallic cuff bracelets on both wrists. Her proper right foot is resting directly in front of the box and her proper left foot is turned outwards and resting in front of her near the photographic backdrop behind her. Her face is slightly lifted and she is looking directly in front of her towards the right edge of the photograph. The floor is white with dark stains and scratches. Wek is seated in front of a plain, light toned photography backdrop and is highlighted by a white halo effect around her with a gray to black gradient along edges. The bottom of the photography backdrop in the background is rolled up and resting on the floor behind where she is seated. The photograph has a thick white border. The edition number, [5/12], is printed in the bottom left corner. The photographer’s signature and date, [Platon 19], is handwritten in the bottom right corner. Inside the border, at the bottom center, is the photographer’s embossed mark: [PLATON ? / EDITIONED ? / PRINT ?[encircled between two bands of embossed dots]]. The back of the photograph is plain and white.
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
pigment prints
portraits
Topic
Activism
Fashion
Fashion design
Humanitarianism
Photography
Politics
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Platon
Object number
2021.33.64
Restrictions & Rights
© Platon
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50d8dbd08-d370-48b0-80b1-85d1d4c956cb

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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