Primrose

Primrose
Max Snow
2007, Black and White Photograph

An example of his Klu Klux Klan portrait series, this shot, first exhibited at Snow's 2008 solo show "It's Fun to do Bad Things"
presents its viewer with a strange juxtaposition. Fascinated by unusual subjects for his portraits, Snow's work ranges from candids of transexual hookers to stark portraits of heavily tattooed LA gang members. In Primrose, the masked klansman holds up a bouquet of wild flowers. His dark hood blends into the tones of the forest background and makes the white flowers stand out even more. The gesture is engaging but its intent is as mysterious as the klan member's face. Is it an offering to the artist and the camera, an attempt to show there is more to the man than the media would have one think, or is the significance found only in color. After all, it is a black and white photograph.