AWQ 4M

Critical Analysis
Photo Chosen:

Initial Response - Note or record just what you see: Elements and principles
of design, composition, subject matter. (Formal Analysis)

Elements Principles Other observations

Colour, texture, Contrast, I like that all of the

shape, from, harmony, bibles are different. It
value CREATE pattern made me want to closer
at each one.

Interpretation and Analysis - Based on what you see, what message, feeling
or mood might the photograph be communicating?

By keeping everything in the photo dirty, it shows the stories of the people who
once owned them. This photograph conveys the message that the people who
once owned these belongings, had their rights stripped from them. Freedom of
religion is a law in America, so taking these peoples bibles away and deeming
them “not necessary”, or “important” is treating them unjustly, and is sending
the message that they think that migrants are not equal to American citizens.

Consideration of Cultural Context - Find out more about the artist, their
era, their intentions, etc.

Tom Kiefer went to school for photography in 2001, during his time in college, he
had a part time job as a janitor. While working, he found many items in the
garbage, that belonged to the migrants that her being detained from Mexico.
The items were declared non- essential, or potentially lethal. He decided to take
these items home and photograph them. His intent was to explore humanity,
and sympathize for the migrants for their difficult trip through the dessert from
Mexico.
Expression of Artistic Judgement - Draw your final conclusion and communicate it, using
specific evidence from the first steps.

1. What social message is Tom Kiefer communicating through this photograph or photo
series?
Tom Kiefer was trying to covey the message that the migrants that travel into America are
simply not treated like people. Each item in the collection of photographs belongs to a person,
who has a complicated life, filled with emotions. Some of these objects may have a large
significance in their life’s. It could the a child’s only, or favorite toy, a love letter from a
significant other back home, or even a bible that their mother gave them. These people had a
treacherous trip through the dessert, hoping for a better life, leaving most of their stuff behind,
along with the life’s, friends, and family. Only to have what little belongings that they have left
taken from them. Belongings that don’t put anyone in harm. Belongings that would make them
a slightest bit more comfortable in a tough situation. Tom was also trying to communicate the
message that the “American dream” is not reality. So many migrants come to America, hoping,
and dreaming for the “American dream”, when in reality it is not a perfect place, full of many
social issues.

3. Write a few sentences of personal response to the photo you chose.

I particularly chose this photograph because it made me feel something a little more than the
others. This photo stuck with me all day. I am a religious person my self, so this resonated with
me. I have had privilege my entire life, being a white, Christian, middle class girl. I have never
had anyone tell me that I am not aloud to bring my bible with me. In fact I would be very sad if
someone did. I can’t imagine how the people in the photo felt after their bibles were taken
from them. Some of them even had sticky notes in them for marked passages that are probably
important to them. Some people keep their bibles their whole lives. It makes me so sad to see
people stopped of their rights, when America is supposed to be a free country.

Brooke Findlay