nymphaea studio

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The Pheasant: Resurrection in Still Life

Reinterpretation of Soutine's Still life with the Pheasant

In my artistic reinterpretation inspired by Soutine's masterpiece, I employed floral elements to narrate the gospel. Whole dried ranunculi became my medium to portray the disciples assembled around the figure of 'Christ'. Vibrant red blooms hover ominously, serving as a poignant symbol of the imminent crucifixion. In contrast, I incorporated white tulips to represent eternal life.

The Pheasant

2018, mixed media
40 x 30 x 1.5 in

From a previous visit to upstate New York, I stumbled upon a taxidermied pheasant that was on display at a lodge. I soon learned that the unfortunate fowl was a prize from a barbaric hunting excursion. The stillness of the pheasant was haunting. I was reminded of Soutine's Still Life with a Pheasant which referenced the corpse of Christ laid out on a winding sheet.

Utilizing thread and various found materials, I meticulously crafted representations of passion flowers, a term coined by missionaries in Latin America to symbolize the death of Christ.

whole dried ranunculi to illustrate the disciplines gathered around 'Christ'

The Pheasant is available as giclee prints on #SaatchiArt

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