ARTIST STATEMENT
Inspired by Vanitas still life artworks, my piece represents the fragile beauty of life through a collection of symbolism and an intricate code system. This painting is a memento to my life’s struggles, both past and present and reveals my hopes for the future. The representations of hope and my spiritual beliefs are riddled throughout my piece; the empty pages, the crown of olive leaves, and the hourglass. My life story is incomplete, and I am determined to fill my empty pages with my ultimate purpose – telos – rather than fill it with the vanity of worldly pleasures and goods.
ARTWORK PROCESS
Student researched the Latin term, vanitas and Dutch Vanitas Still Life Artworks to develop knowledge and understanding of the symbolism and codes used. After completing an in-depth study of historical objects used in vanitas paintings, the student arranged a personal composition using real objects that all connected to construct a hidden message. The composition was photographed with spotlights. Traditional Renaissance oil painting techniques were used in the development of the artwork: grid system, charcoal layering (focusing on outlines, proportion, and tone), a raw umber layer and finally completing the artwork with a colour layer.
