Alexis Edinburg The five portraits

In this work I wanted to explore traditional notions of life and death and the transience of being, using vanitas traditions of still life in the contemporary medium of photography. Inspired by the way objects represent their owners, I wanted the soft lighting to create an eerie voyeurism, giving the audience insight into the dark corners of the human psyche, soul and personality. Each portrait uses traditional symbols of still life, while repeated symbols such as apples (representing sin) alongside watches, cigars and hot drinks create continuity, creating a comparative reflection on each character’s stage in life.

Influencing artists:
Marian Drew
David LaChapelle
David Bromley
Cindy Sherman
Philippe de Champaigne
vanitas artists