Drink and Draw in the Gallery

Published June 27, 2022

By Yudi Kravzov (yudikra@gmail.com)

When I got to Hanks there was already a round of beers and a large order of crispy, delicious onion rings in the center of the table. Out of the crowd came Mike, who photographed Master Scully’s playful, large-format portrait paintings for our catalogue. We hugged warmly, and he began by saying that both pieces are a real gem.

Mike was a sociology professor in Boston who has always had a soft spot for photography. Because of his very training he has a crude way of seeing life. He has spent months surrounded by pessimism, telling us that we are a selfish race and, ultimately, not very human.

“…So many things go wrong,” Mike was saying, as he pulled up a chair to sit at our table with his beer in hand. “Not to be surprised by the evil in the world, nor to be paralyzed by inequality; the only thing I know is that the level of corruption and the lies of institutions in governments of all colors must be recognized. There is a lot of hypocrisy. Each one, pretending not to see catastrophe, pretending that integrity, honesty and decency exist.” Then, with tears in his eyes, with his heart in his hand he said: “I did not understand, how with all the good people in the world, we have people who are so mediocre in power. I don’t understand.» He paused to order another beer, then continued. «If the way to make good decisions is to do it in the name of positive principles, why do we allow it to be in the name of power, hatred, revenge and money? It is impossible to overlook not having principles. What do you say?” He raised his voice and asked me directly, “If integrity and honesty is sold, aren’t the results always wrong? The world is rotting!” Mike yelled in perfect Spanish, then without realizing it slammed his fist on the table.

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