Alison Watt’s exhibition explores themes of mortality and decay through haunting still lifes. Starting with a broken child’s head, her meticulous paintings create an unsettling atmosphere. The show culminates in studies of Oliver Cromwell’s death mask, prompting contemplation on existence and absence.
Alison Watt’s exhibition reflects a haunting exploration of mortality and decay. Beginning with a painting of a broken classical child’s head, her still lifes evoke feelings of unease, with the blank eyes of the child serving as a gateway to themes of death. The eerie quality of Watt’s work is complemented by her meticulous depictions of folded linen, casting unsettling shadows that create a spectral atmosphere in Sir John Soane’s museum.
Watt then introduces floral still lifes, progressing from vibrant pink flowers to withered blooms. While decay is a common theme in still life, her focused examination of these remnants offers a contemporary authenticity, drawing a distinct contrast to the technological distractions of modern life. Her attention to detail, as seen in the intricate rendering of a porcelain cup, showcases an observant artistry that prioritises genuine observation over quick photographs.
The exhibition culminates in a powerful visual inquiry into a death mask, illuminating three different perspectives of this eerie representation. Speculated to belong to Richard Parker, its true identity as Oliver Cromwell’s death mask adds a layer of historical weight. In employing dramatic lighting, Watt invites viewers to contemplate the nature of existence as she presents this lifeless visage, contemplating the absence of a soul or spirit, culminating in a profound silence around mortality.
Alison Watt’s exhibition presents a thought-provoking engagement with themes of decay, death, and the nature of existence. Her meticulous style invites a deeper reflection on mortality through haunting imagery and stark contrasts. By focusing on still lifes, she challenges the viewer to reconsider the emotional weight of objects and the significance of life and death. Ultimately, Watt leaves us to ponder the emptiness that follows a life once lived.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com