Boy holding a Gun

Andrew Z.Glickerman, Man holding a boy’s head, boy holding a toy gun, 1996, flax photo, 800x549

The two figures relax on a concrete step in front of a shop or café window, its dark reflective glass panes, mirror the bustle of people passing them on the street. The old gentlemen sitting and cradling the young boy’s head in his aged hands, supporting him as he lies, relaxed, as they both watch and wait for the return of a loved one.

The elderly man is dressed smartly in his pink buttoned up shirt and taupe pressed trousers, his laced up shiny shoes and tailored jacket; he takes good care of his appearance. He caresses his grandson’s head, reassuring him of his love. The boy, around four or five years of age, lies comfortably on the ledge, relaxed in this position, wearing a loose white graphic t-shirt and patterned loose linen trousers with red converse pumps. He holds a piece of card in his left hand and a black toy gun in his right.

This image gives the viewer a warm feeling, bringing back memories of past tender moments with grandparents and their relationship with their grandchildren. Times of unconditional love and unspoken trust, times spent in each other’s company and what valuable time these are. Two different generations in peace with each other, waiting for a relative to return.

The aged brickwork and cracked stone step cradle the new modern structure of the shop; its brown and slate tones compared to the light, fresh doors mimic these two figures. The warm trusting colours of the supporting man and the fresh light linens of the resting child create a great composition of this tender moment.

As Glickerman captures their resting poses you cannot but wonder what their relationship is like, the young boy’s personality and trust in his Nonno. The elderly man, dressed in his best clothes and neat hair, his past?

“Who shall I shoot? I have that bird in my sights, as it flies under the café table.

If I aim I can hit it now but it has to stay still.

I can see a target through these people; I can follow her from shop to shop.

As I lie here waiting.

Who shall I shoot? Nonno might know. He’s told me about when he was a soldier,

He would wear a uniform and carry a gun.

Did he shoot anyone? . that, he never tells me

As I lie here waiting.

Who did he shoot? If I close one eye I can see further, past the top of that building,

Nonno has shown me two photos of when he went to war,

He doesn't like to talk about it

As I lie here waiting.

Who did he shoot? Did he shoot the bad men? Men with bigger guns?

He hums to himself and just strokes my hair

With his rough hands that smell of hair grease and soap

As I lie here waiting.”