Dahlias on High Street

Inspired by the still life tradition, these works explore dark traditions, beauty in decay and the quiet theatre of bold abundance.

This artwork chases the drama that is particular to the old still lifes. Flowers bloom alongside aging fruit. Leaves curl. Petals fall. Silver tarnishes. Against the darkness, everything seems richer for being temporary.

There is a fascinating tension.

In these works, flowers, fruit and objects are gathered into imagined abundance. Light moves across petals, catches the skin of a pear or the edge of an old vessel, while other details disappear into shadow. Nothing needs to be perfect. The bruised fruit, fading flower and worn surface belong here too.

It is this layering that gives still life its richness — beauty alongside decay, extravagance alongside the passing of time, ordinary things given enough attention to become magnificent.

Dark traditions · beauty in decay · bold abundance