About

In “Crooked the Road, 2025,” Nkosi Gomez frames a quiet, almost suspended moment within the restless fabric of Guayaquil. A vintage van—likely a relic of mid-century utility—rests parallel to the curb, its soft curves and aged body contrasting against the rigid geometry of the surrounding architecture. The monochrome treatment deepens the mood: shadows cling to the building’s columns, while the vehicle seems gently illuminated, as if memory itself had chosen it as the subject. There is no visible motion, no human presence—only a stillness that feels both intentional and fragile.

The photograph was taken during the early stretch of Gomez’s Ecuadorian journey, when he reunited with a companion before setting out toward Cuenca. Wandering the streets with a Leica M6 fitted with a 28mm Summicron lens and loaded with Ilford HP5 400, he approached the city with instinct rather than itinerary. This image emerged from that improvisational rhythm—what he describes as a “spur-of-the-moment” sensitivity to place. The overcast sky that day cast a subdued tonal palette over the city, reinforcing a quiet melancholy that seeps into the photograph’s atmosphere.

Contextually, the image exists within a period of heightened tension in Guayaquil. By 2025, the city had become a focal point of organized crime and cartel-related violence, prompting increased police presence and widespread unease among residents and visitors alike . Despite this backdrop, Gomez notes a paradoxical sense of safety while shooting—perhaps due to the discreet design of his camera, or perhaps because photography itself provided a kind of psychological distance. The absence of visible unrest in the frame becomes significant; what is omitted is as telling as what is shown.

The van itself becomes the emotional anchor of the piece. Gomez, drawn to “dated and scarce oddities,” treats the vehicle not merely as an object but as a vessel of time. Its presence evokes a quieter era—one defined less by urgency and more by simplicity. In his view, such objects carry a romantic residue, recalling music, movement, and a slower pace of life. Positioned against the starkness of the modern street, the van feels tender, almost vulnerable—like something nearing the end of its journey.

Ultimately, “Crooked the Road” is less about the road itself and more about the imperfect passage through it. The photograph reflects Gomez’s philosophy: that perfection is unattainable, and what matters instead is the act of noticing—of preserving fleeting alignments between past and present before they disappear

Specifications

Artwork Size: 6 ½ x 8 ½ ( 16.51 x 21.59 cm )

Print Size: Signed 8×10 in ( 20.32 x 25.4 cm )

White Precut Mat Size: 11×14 in ( 27.94 x 35.56 )

Frame NOT Included

Photo finish: Epson Velvet Fine Art. Textured Matte Finish. An acid-free, 100% cotton rag base with a natural textured finish. This paper has an extremely high color gamut and black density. This paper is coated with our popular Enhanced Matte coating, giving exceptional color gamut and high D-Max. The velvet surface is a favorite of photographers and artists alike, offering a unique museum-quality feel.

This print ships within one week of the order date.