LIFE@DEATH 2022

Life@death has always enjoyed a good play on words to stimulate and inspire artists to reflect on the deeper issues of existence and meaning. This year we are exploring ideas around the theme of “Still – Life – Dead – Nature”. We are familiar with the genre of “still-life”, the English term for a collection of objects an artist chooses to  paint or draw to express themselves. “ Nature Morte or literally “Dead Nature”” is it’s French equivalent.

In English the term may indicate a need for peace or still-ness, a desire to reconcile or make sense of the myriad of objects in the world around us. The French term seems to acknowledge the animate quality of those objects (for even fruit and flowers once picked are as good as dead).  Here the exploration may ask what is our relationship with these ‘dead’ things? Or even is there beauty in death?

Works of art created under these banners have varied enormously. From displayed collections of the objects of crucifixion, to household paraphernalia, to fruit, flowers and vegetables or dead animals, each work explored something of what it means to live and make sense of the world and our relationship to it. The objects chosen dialogue with each other, asking questions of themselves and of us.

Interestingly it is often a sense of life – it’s fullness, abundance and variety – that is seen at first glance, but the reality of loss, decay and fragility hovers beneath the surface.

Artists of all persuasions are invited to contribute work reflecting on our theme of “Still – Life – Dead – Nature” for the 2022 Life@death exhibition to be held in March. All media, whether already completed work or new work are accepted.

Life@death is a joint venture between Gallery One in Mitcham, SA. and Mitcham Village Uniting Church, and is now in it’s 9th year. Enquiries please contact Gallery One or Dieter Engler.

Text by Dieter Engler

Uniting Church of Mitcham is sponsoring Artist in Residence 2022 – Ruth Rodda (Florist)

Ruth Rodda floral artist (Opening Day)