This month, we’re taking a closer look at the fascinating and often overlooked power of fruit in art. It’s not just a pretty addition to a still-life painting, but more often than not, it can communicate a much deeper message. Whether it’s an expression of wealth, a reminder of the transience of life, or even a symbol of fertility, the use of fruit in art throughout the centuries has been incredibly meaningful. In this blog we take closer look at some iconic still life artworks and some of the local still life artworks, printed by us.
When we think about art and fruit, how could we forget the famous French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. “Painting from nature is not copying the object, it is realising one's sensations.” Pictured below: 'Still Life: Plate of Peaches'. His complex still lifes, filled with fruits, flowers, and other objects, were his ideal subjects, as they would remain still and available at any time of day or night, and helped him on his journey to understand the empirical truth of painting.
Inspired by Sam Taylor Woods's time-lapse digital video piece 'Still Life', Grace studied still life painting at art college to explore the transient nature of life. She was captivated by the colours, composition and presentation of the fruit, and how it can tell a story of the fleeting nature of our existence.
From the fleeting of life to the celebration of life, co-director, Julia Gash is drawn to Frida Kahlo's 'Viva la Vida, Watermelons'. This is one of her most renowned and important works as it is known to be the last painting that Frida Kahlo created. In spite of her declining physical condition, the title of this work is a tribute to life.
Let's also take a moment to appreciate the art of the late Fernando Botero. His unique style of 'Boterismo' - where he inflates his figures and objects, giving them a chubby, round appearance - is so captivating and humorous. His still life paintings are bright, full of life and carry a certain contemporary feel.
We're blown away by Lucy Lyall's digital still life illustrations, printed by us, they are so incredibly detailed. Lucy's work celebrates the beauty of still life art and the seemingly simple but effective way of arranging inanimate objects.
We're loving the bright, contrasting colours in Rosie Cole's watercolour painting of oranges, printed by us. The vibrant colours in this still life piece really catch the eye.
For next month's theme, we delve into the dark and macabre and we'll be showcasing some truly unique artworks that will leave you spellbound. We can't wait to continue to explore the beauty of our world and share more stunning artworks with you. In the meantime, stay tuned for our final 'Fruit in Print' post!