In his Chris Oatley Artcast interview, Jason Brubaker mentions that he thinks about death a lot. He says it apologetically, like its a bad thing.
It’s not. If there’s one thing I learnt from Charlie Morley, it’s that “thinking about death is good for you.” Alain de Button agrees: when we recognise and remember our own mortality, the choices we make in our day-to-day living will be more conducive to happiness. I will do my meaningful work with more urgency. I will forgive the important people in my life quicker, and I’ll be slower to get angry with them in the first place. What’s the point of dallying? Our time together is too limited.
And so, without any further ado, may I present to you a Gallery of Memento Mori (Mortality Reminders)
Butterflies – Series “Memento Mori”
2012
Vivera pigment inks on Arches paper
20 x 30 cm
Skull Study Abstracted
Memento Mori
Walter Kuhlman
1973–1974
Oil on canvas
Frida Kahlo`s skull with vintage roses
2012
Digital
Dimensions variable
Damien Hirst
The Anatomy of an Angel
2008
Carrara marble
Memento Mori
These next ones are not as obvious as some of the other work, but then, the presence of death isn’t always obvious.
Something’s a Little Off
2011
Canon 60d. Self portrait. Sparrow wings.
Dimensions variable
Buzz
2008
hand built porcelain, acrylic gel
14 ½ “x11“x7 ½ “
And finally, as an antidote: the cycles of nature creates life again from death.
Then,it returns slowly
2009
main part : 137 cm in height (size variable)