Flower still life has evolved from tradition to the present, and the creative style has always changed with different artistic trends. In the past, works with landscapes, flowers, and trees as the main themes were mostly used for decoration, but today’s creators imbue these gorgeous flowers with a philosophical exploration, such as life and death, time, transformation, etc., allowing the meaning of flowers to far exceed a moment of blooming.
Simon Lee Gallery is currently presenting a series of elegant and intellectual floral still life works by British artist Toby Ziegler, showcasing how the artist continues to explore issues such as image generation and the rate of biological decay through his creations, thus analyzing the relationship between time and nature.
The exhibition “Luxury” showcases 8 new works by artists, originating from the 17th-century still life painting tradition, involving works from Flemish painting master Jan Brueghel the Elder to German artist Abraham Mignon. Ziegler is deeply interested in the theme of “vanitas” in still life painting, emphasizing that in the face of absolute death, all the fleeting pleasures of time are meaningless. Just like the flowers he paints, they symbolize the fragility and transience of life, capturing the most beautiful appearance of blooming flowers with a brush, as if extending the fleeting time.
Ziegler’s still life paintings may look recognizable like traditional still life paintings, but upon closer inspection, one will notice the addition of aluminum and pink plaster at the base. He uses an orbital sander to smooth out the strong textured surface of the work, directly contrasting the time-consuming process of figurative painting with quick smoothing.
From the original drawing process and the subsequent unfolding of life, the artist gives the image a rebirth. In these paintings, the artist walks between figurative depiction and abstraction, folding narrative and image space, dismantling linear development of time.
Feel free to visit the exhibition and appreciate the elegant floral masterpieces created by the artist.
Toby Ziegler: “Luxury”
Date: From now until May 14
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Location: 3/F, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Simon Lee gallery
Image source and learn more: Simon Lee gallery
