Meditation on Team (Waves for Scottie)

Overlooking the sea, Kendell Carter sits with his head bowed, hands on his knees. The pose is meditative, and the scene recalls advertisements for retreats or wellness centers. Unexpected, however, is the basketball jersey that he wears—clothing associated with fast-paced play on an indoor court, with bright lights, and chaotic noise. In the contrast between the pictured tranquility and the imagined competition lies the tension that interests Carter. Describing this image, he notes, “It’s an alternative to the idea of the physically heroic male athlete” whose success rests in physical strength and individual dominance.