Artist Statement

Memento Mori/Caro et Ossa {Flesh and Bone] (2018 - 2024)

In my work, I explore mortality and death. My work reflects my interest in memento mori – the Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you will die’. This subject, closely related to Vanitas still life, was prevalent during the Baroque. The genre featured symbols pointing to mortality - encouraging reflection on the transience of life. Rather than illustrating typical human skulls, I refer to animal remains – specifically skulls, flesh and bones - to flesh out ideas of life and death. This fascination stems from processing my own mortality.

While my choice of imagery is also driven by the imagery I see in my nightmares, I am mesmerised by animal remains, their varying textures, forms, and colour. Through repetitive study, I use their remains as a still life to contemplate mortality. As the animal remains decay, so too will my body decay in death – we are flesh and bone.

Through this, I attempt to make sense of death - the finality of it, ceasing to exist. I’m also interested in the significance of ‘remains’ - that what remains after death, that what we associated with life, is now lifeless.