In Andre Wagner’s single image of a Black child gripping a small, wrinkled American flag in one hand while the other rests pensively on her chin, Wagner tells the complicated story of America. That Star-Spangled Banner is crumpled, as if it has been rolled up in a pocket, tucked away, its usefulness uncertain but nonetheless protected. This child, with the decorative beads in her cornrows, is dwarfed by the adults who stand on either side, by the enormous backpack, by the meat counter in the background. Her expression is sober, as if she’s considering weighty matters. A child with the brooding demeanor of an adult. A complicated child. An American child. A Black American.
Here’s a short, inspiring video profile of Brooklyn-based street photographer Andre D. Wagner. We’re offered a glimpse into Wagner’s mind as he talks about his process for creating images, from how he approaches photographing people on sidewalks with a Leica 35mm film rangefinder to his love of making photos with his hands in his darkroom.
