To keep the memories of my mother close, I frequently include objects that belonged to her in my still life works. This painting was specifically created as an homage, whilst also fitting into the ‘memento mori’ tradition whereby we are reminded of our mortality. Painted from life, I selected objects of similar hues, including her wedding gloves, and placed them alongside a wedding photo. King and pincushion proteas inhabit one of the vases to symbolise my memories of my mother as a woman of strength, courage and resilience. Kurrajong seed pods represent, apart from the obvious connection to the cycle of life and the connection between artist and subject, our shared narrative of resilience (something I sometimes associate with my tendency to include highly patterned fabrics of my works!) I am strongly influenced by Margaret Olley’s still life works and the placement of this arrangement in front of a window owes a debt to some of her paintings.
