With the focal point of Nikki S. Lee’s photograph Part (14), 2002 being the face, the woman initially appears to have a blank expression: she appears unfazed.

It seems the woman is in the company of a man. The masculine gesture of placing an arm around the shoulder of the woman suggests gender: it’s a dominant gesture that could be described as caring, or perhaps synonymous of ownership: personal space is something that appears non-existent. Regardless, this gesture speaks volumes about the relationship the pair share: they may be romantically involved. If the pair are not in any kind of compassionate relationship, perhaps there are economic or sexual ties. The man may be using his higher status as a male in a patriarchal society by claiming this woman through this forward gesture.

On closer inspection, the woman appears to be tense. Perhaps it’s the invasion of personal space; the gesture may be unsolicited; she may feel powerless. Should we assume that the pair are romantically involved, perhaps there are unresolved issues within the relationship. The woman’s positioning indicates this, suggesting deliberate detachment. The gesture suggests that the man is unaware of any issues, or overlooks them. Either way, it’s important to note that Nikki S. Lee has made the decision to only include the woman’s profile in the photograph. Nikki S. Lee may want to expose how women can be affected by the actions of men, which may explain why the man’s expression is not important.