Momento Mori - Flower Feast

I’m a lover of art in all its forms. I've been fortunate enough in my life to be surrounded by artworks from famous  artists whose works hang in the big  galleries to street art , children’s art and unknown artists' art . What I love most of all and look for when I’m choosing art for myself is the story behind the artwork . Who was the artist, why did they compose their image that way and what inspired them .

I certainly know that when I create jewellery there are a million little things that build up before my creations take form .

Never so much as the past two years have we been forced to draw on what has been immediately happening around us as we create .

For some of us we’ve been forced to look deeply into the why, where and how of life to gain perspective and inspiration.

These are the things that drew me to Sarah and Lauren in search of art to print onto silk that I hoped would resonate with you as it has with me .

Let me tell you a little about Lauren  Starr and the photograph of hers we have printed on silk ……

Lauren is an Award Winning artist based in Bendigo .

Lauren says “I love all things old and broken; vintage makes my heart sing. I’m a mother, lover, sister and I adore poetry, watching creepy TV series, doing puzzles with my kids, gardening. I’m a school teacher. 

My motto is ‘memento mori’. It means, ‘remember you will die’. I had it tattooed on my forearm. Before you press the back button, it’s a call to action. To live with death in the forefront of your mind, helps you to prioritise life. Carpe diem, begin with the end in mind...

Each image is a blend of photographs, anything from  3- 30 images all carefully worked into one fabulous image .

Momento Mori -  Flower Feast 

Last year during lock down I became enamoured with Dutch still life, Vanitas and Memento Mori sentiments. I dreamt of creating my own ridiculously oversized floral ode to Dutch still life. All the beautiful blooms in this picture are from the fabulous Castlemaine Floristry. As well as rich florals, this artwork is thick with Vanitas-style meaning. Birds in still life represent the resurrection of the soul after death. The skull of course is a reminder of our mortality, and the crown - well you can't take it with you! The unlit candle marks the passing of time, the snails remind us to slow down. Large shells symbolise lust and beauty, therefore hinting at lust as a sin and the power of temptation. Also a sign of death and frailty, as shells were often once homes for a living animal. 

Digital image n Pure Silk Twill with Hand rolled edges.

Measurements: 90 x 90 cm’s 

Limited Edition