Surreal

Magicians use smoke and mirrors to delight audiences. In the 17^th century there was a roaring trade in Trompe-l’œil paintings deigned to “fool the eye”.

I play with this theme in a series of surreal still life’s. Bubbles containing ornate cowfish floating through the air, busting unexpectadly. The bubble is a vanitas symbol, it’s life is short but glorious.

For me the fish in a bubble is a symbol of the perils of climate change and the rapidly dwindling population of marine creatures.