[2020] Omnia Mors Aequat
A particular Latin phrase associated with still lives, Omnia mors aequat (meaning “in death we are all equal”), resonates profoundly within the context of growing up in post-apartheid South Africa. The epoch of our time requires the average citizen to navigate the complexities of intersectional reformation whilst honouring the agency of aspiring cultures to self-direct with dignity. New generations are pressed to question what aspects of their culture serves society and what should be surrendered to decay.
In the realm of artistic expression, the power of still life photography lies in its ability to transform ordinary objects into symbolic landmarks that stitch together a living narrative. Ceramic vessels stand as timeless monuments with undulations reminiscence of human form, inviting us to contemplate who the true pillars are that shaped the evolution of our nation. The transient stability of a country like South Africa is captured by the presence of colonial crops such as grapes and orchard fruit in co-existance with the omnipresent vehicles of decay and resurrection, such as endemic flies, spiders, and butterflies. In the end we are all subjected to the passage of time and the realities of a western construct sustained by the resources of an African country.
- Stylist: Marcelle van Rooyen
- Photographer: Jean-Pierre Fourie
* Unfortunately the photographer’s harddrive perished, these are my BTS Iphone images.