VANITAS
Contemporary Interpretations of Mortality and Time
In the VANITAS series, I explore the enduring symbolism of the skull through a dynamic fusion of traditional and digital mediums. This body of work reimagines the classical vanitas genre for the contemporary era, bridging centuries-old memento mori traditions with modern artistic techniques and cultural references. By oscillating between 3D modeling, marble sculpture, digital manipulation, and traditional drawing, the series creates a dialogue between historical artistic practices and contemporary digital culture.
GENESIS
Carpe Diem
Amor Roma
Ad Vitam Aeternam
KNOWNORIGIN
3D Digital Artwork Series
video loops
2020
"Carpe Diem"
Against a stark white background, this composition centers on a golden skull with a striking blue morpho butterfly. The piece is framed by pierced hearts and the Latin phrase "seize the day," creating a poignant reminder of life's brevity and the urgency of living. The metallic finish of the skull suggests both luxury and permanence, while the butterfly represents the fleeting nature of beauty and life.
"AMOR ROMA"
This piece plays with palindromes both visually and textually. The golden skull, adorned with a bold pink dragonfly, is set against marble with baroque golden flourishes. The mirrored text "AMOR ROMA" speaks to the eternal nature of love and empire, while the dragonfly - a symbol of transformation and adaptability - suggests the impermanence within permanence.
"Ad Vitam Aeternam"
Set against a dramatic pink marble texture, this piece presents a golden skull adorned with butterflies in various hues. The Latin phrase "towards eternal life" contrasts with the mortality symbolism of the skull, while the butterflies - traditional symbols of transformation and resurrection - create a narrative of transcendence. The golden bees in the corners reference both mortality and immortality, echoing ancient royal symbolism and the cyclical nature of life.
OMNIA VINCIT AMOR
Nihil Difficile Amanti Puto
Pencil and Acrilic on Wood, 100x100cm
PRIVATE COLLECTION - Italy
2018
Omnia Vincit Amor
Handmade Marble Carrara Sculpture, 70cm diam.
PRIVATE COLLECTION - Portugal
2019
Omnia Vincit Amor
This sculptural interpretation of the piece “Nihil Difficile Amanti Puto” reimagines the classical coin format as a contemporary memento mori. Carved by hand in italian Carrara marble, the skull is filled with pop culture references and modern symbols, creating a time capsule of current visual culture. The dotted border and Latin text echo traditional coinage, while the relief's content speaks to present-day experiences and aesthetics.
The series as a whole presents a compelling meditation on time, mortality, and the persistence of symbolic language across centuries. By incorporating both classical and contemporary elements, these works challenge viewers to consider how our understanding of mortality and time has evolved while remaining fundamentally unchanged.
Nihil Difficile Amanti Puto
A circular composition featuring a graphite-rendered skull populated with contemporary cultural icons, including cartoon characters, emoji, pride flags, and popular symbols. This piece directly confronts the intersection of historical vanitas themes with modern visual culture, suggesting that our current symbols and icons are as ephemeral as the traditional symbols of mortality in classical vanitas paintings.