eX de Medici
Contemporary Vanitas
In this lesson you will investigate the Australian artist eX de Medici who is celebrated for bringing a contemporary perspective to the tradition of vantias paintings.
You will research the practice of this artist using the conceptual framework. The four agencies of the conceptual framework provide a model for understanding practice and unpacking the network of relationships that exist between artists, audiences, artworks and the world.
Carefully examine the artwork below. Without reading about the work complete the following tasks:
- List all of the objects you can see in this work
- Can you see any objects that you know have meaning in traditional vanitas paintings? Find three and explain their meaning. Refer to the class slide show resource created for Lesson 2 if you need assistance.
- Think about the title of this work. What does this title remind you of?
- Comment on the artists use of a limited colour palette. How is colour used and what is the overall effect? Is there a focal point?
eX de Medici
Blue (Bower/Bauer). 1998-2000
Painting in watercolour over black pencil
114.0 x 152.8 cm
Purchased 2004.
National Gallery of Australia
'Observing contemporary politics and social issues, eX de Medici's practice since the 1970s has included media as diverse as sound performance, installation, painting and photography. In the 1990s, the artist also achieved national renown as a professional tattooist of exquisite skill and sensitivity.
De Medici's large watercolours celebrate the minute beauty of living creatures. But they also show, in obsessive detail, signs of the destructive aspects of human society, with numerous emblems of degradation, violence and death entangled in the midst of abundant life. Her watercolour paintings are, in fact, contemporary memento mori – visual reminders of the brevity of life.'
EX DE MEDICI website, QAGOMA Accessed on 17/03/2020
Watch the video above.
5. How does the artist eX De Medici use the genre of still life to comment on the world?
In your response refer to the artwork 'The theory of everything' 2005, Watercolour and metallic pigment on Arches paper, 114.3 x 176.3cm Collection: Queensland Art Gallery.
Use the conceptual framework scaffold below to assist you to type a short answer response of approximately one page. Upload your completed response to your the shared digital platform used by your class for feedback.
eX de Medici
The Theory of Everything, 2005
Watercolour and metallic pigment on Arches paper
114.3 x 176.3 cm
Collection: Queensland Art Gallery
Practical Task- Year 11 students
- Inspired by the work of eX de Medici create an artwork using pencils (and other 2D materials you have access to) that conveys the idea of indulgence and consumption.
Your drawing needs to be detailed and fill the page. You will need to look at real objects or images of objects (either from magazines or on the internet) that you wish to draw. You may decide to create a composition and photograph it and use this for reference when you work on your drawing. You could also create a digital image that you refer to.
Carefully plan a busy and layered composition. Consider objects that you might use as symbols for wealth and indulgence. Think carefully about your choice of colours and the proportions of each object. Try to use graduated tones to create form and a more detailed realistic effect.