Still lifes Series
Still life has long served as a genre for exploring the beauty in stillness, the vanity of life, and the symbolism of the ordinary.
These still life paintings don't feature compositions of fruits or flowers; instead, they are meticulous studies of everyday, forgotten objects with strong narrative weight. The arrangement of these elements invites us to look beyond their function and compose stories.
Objects like newspapers, letters, and old photographs reproduce not only the object itself but also the passage of time. Each crease, every water stain, the yellowing color, and the worn edges become a historical record. These items acquire a fragility and dignity that force us to reflect on memory, personal history, and the value of the ephemeral. An old photograph is no longer just an image but a fragment of a life.
Paper money is another recurring motif, and its choice is a statement of intent. It can be interpreted as a reflection on its value in modern society, its relativity, and the idolatry it inspires, as well as the fragility of the material it's made from.
The representation of objects like locks and keys speaks to archetypal symbols—metaphors for access and what is hidden. By painting these objects with dramatic light and palpable texture, I give them a sculptural presence and dynamism. The oxidation of the metal, the scratches, and the visual weight of the lock separate them from a cold, functional object, elevating them to the category of objects with a spiritual presence.
The image of fish wrapped in an old newspaper, aesthetically treated as if they were a bas-relief, is also unsettling under the gaze of those beautiful, dead eyes.
These components elevate objects and beings that are often consumed, discarded, and forgotten into works of art. From a perspective that verges on animism, the art invites us to create stories that go beyond our modern-day routines.
–Javier Arizabalo
