Autograph
Artist: Sean Ahearn
Digital Photograph
February 4, 2023
Boston, Massachusetts
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What is a name but the emblem of a person? Can a person’s name be separate from who they are?
The hand’s movement is caught in action, slightly blurred from signing an autograph. Letters dash across the image, following the hand’s instructions that appear as lines across a composition. They seem to float right in front of the figure signing the autograph; however, it is not the name that is in focus, but the face of the figure himself. It is not the autograph that is the central feature of the photograph, but the person behind the name.
An intimate exchange occurs in the photograph: the viewer is transformed into the object being signed, looking directly up toward the signer. The viewer is not simply observing the photograph from afar like a distant bystander, but is pulled into the composition of the image.
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Sean Ahearn was a member of the Class of 2023, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology and Biology. He was a part of the BC Marketing Department and was the President and Photographer of BC Club Running.
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Ahearn’s photograph features Noah Lyles, a US Olympian in Track and Field, a two time world champion, and American record holder in the 200 meter dash. The picture was taken after Lyles won the 60 meter dash at the New Balance Grand Prix at The TRACK at New Balance, a new facility in Allston. Ahearn had Lyles press a piece of plexiglass against his camera lens and sign it with a sharpie, making it seem like he was signing the camera. Ahearn also did this with nine other professional athletes, but Lyle’s photograph is his favorite.
For more information about Noah Lyles and his groundbreaking athletic career, read a recap of his performance at the Allston event here.
Article by: Megan Cassidy