Suzie Streetwalker At Limelight

Photographed in 1983, the image ‘Suzie Streetwalker at Limelight’ by Ken Schles is a black and white archival pigment print, and captures clear contrasts in both tone and colour. These contrasts are echoed in the figures as the central figure, Suzie Streetwalker, perches on a ledge, vacant and alone, while the three figures in the foreground laugh and engage in conversation. The central figure’s white spotlight body immediately captures the viewer’s attention, however, the attention of this figure is not with the viewer as she stares emotionlessly outwards, balancing a glass of wine in her right hand. The slanting shoulder and tipped head of the man to the bottom left and the two figures to the bottom right create a pyramidal composition, drawing further attention to the central figure who sits at the apex. This effect is further emphasised by the orthogonal line that the shadow casts on the wall to the right of the central figure.
This idea of spontaneity is further emphasised through the title Schles uses here where he states the name of the central figure rather than merely saying ‘Limelight’. Moreover, the expressionless facial features and the slumped position of this central figure possibly bears resemblance to the cultural environment Schles surrounded himself in during the 1980s. It is suggestive here that the slouched position of the woman, with her ruffled hair and blank expression draws direct attention to that of the large heroin problem New York faced at this