Fishing Trip Painting

The inspiration for the painting is an image taken on a fishing trip. It depicts the moment when the fish was caught, and the fisherman proudly poses for a picture—a moment of leisure and relaxation spent with my own family. At the same time, I included some intrusive images: a skull and a Coca-Cola cup, which are painted on two small wooden panels and glued to the canvas. The skull is a reference to the historical memento mori painting, the vanitas still life that signifies a remembrance of imminent death, a thought that can creep in even in the most peaceful moments. The Coca-Cola cup is an ever-present pop culture symbol of capitalism and consumerism. The painting is inspired by a family trip that apparently is just about relaxation, but in which we cannot escape our intrusive thoughts about the world around us. The materials used are oil colors on canvas and on wooden panels that I glued onto the canvas.