My photographic work fits most simply in the category of still life. More
specifically it references, 17th century Vanitas painting in the juxtaposition of
material culture with objects from nature. These Flemish and Dutch painters
alluded to the moral and the metaphysical through a meticulous and sensual
depiction of objects— those symbolizing death, domesticity, wealth, and
worldliness. Exhibiting also a shared reliance on collecting (in my case, both
objects and pixels) this genre provides a space from which to comment on
issues surrounding privilege, the status derived from ownership, cultural
imperialism, and the politics of awarding value. It is an appropriate vehicle for
out times, one that is equally fixated on fear and consumption —ostentatious
display and the inexorability of death and decay.

[The time-consuming photographic and compositing process of the photographs in 'Nature Morte'] is important conceptually, not least of all, for its absurdity. The labour is often mind-numbingly repetitive, but is an action that serves to calm the limbic region of the brain and reduce anxiety. The obsessive and deceptive nature of the method mirrors a society obsessed by material culture and artificial beauty and is one perfected by the media to manipulate the unsuspecting. The Vanitas painters used their consummate craft and the still-life genre to cross-purposes. Ostensibly, their role was doctrinal, an imperative for  redemption. The works conveyed the moralistic assertion that all human achievement and the pursuit of earthly pleasures was worthless, a vanity. They served as memento mori, reminders of the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. However, at the same time they were, themselves, objects of pleasure— status symbols whose success was dependent on their aesthetic beauty, technical virtuosity and coded iconography.

Below: Lynn Hurst artist bio, as a document.

PhotoBook Talk by Mary Macpherson and Peter Black - Thursday evening, 24th November
The Wellington chapter of the PhotoBook Club will have it's 4th meeting at Photospace to coincide with Mary's and Peter's exhibitions, and the two artists will discuss their new photo books. Details of this 24th November event will be announced on the PBC's Facebook page. You will need to rsvp as space is limited.