Life, Still

We go through life surrounded by objects, some of which we cherish, while others are cast aside as unimportant and disposable. Regardless of their meaning and significance, the objects that surround us in our kitchens, under our beds and on our mantels tell a story of who we are and how we live our lives.

Still life vignettes such as these have been adapted by artists throughout history in a variety of ways. In ancient historic times, they were used to decorate Egyptian tombs, Greek vases and Roman walls. During the medieval period, they appeared in the margins of illuminated manuscripts and in the Renaissance they were used for allegorical purposes. It was during the 16th century that still life painting emerged as a distinct genre. It became especially popular in the Netherlands with Dutch artists rendering everyday objects in exquisite detail. Fruits, flowers, vases, musical instruments, candles and skulls were composed to highlight the wealth of their patron and remind people of their mortality. Today, still life endures. Artists continue to experiment with the genre in a manner that is contemporaneous with life in the 21st century.

From depictions of colourful Mardi Gras floats to a textile dandelion at each stage of its life cycle, the artwork in this exhibition showcases a myriad of approaches to the still life genre. Life, Still presents paintings, drawings and photographs created by seven members of the Alberta Society of Artists (ASA): Ross Bradley, David Harrison, Diane Howard Langlois, Seka Owen, Karin Richter, Deborah Sinclair and Barbara West.