‘To Dust We Return’ presents a selection of sculptures and paintings by British sculptor Paul Hazelton, French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne and Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.
The artworks showcased in this gallery center around decay and what the human body is reduced to after death. As aforementioned before, the human body is often believed to be made out of dust in literary and religious terms. After death, the human body is reduced back to dust due to decay and decomposition. In a sense, we have come full circle as the cycle of life and death is never-ending. |
Hazelton makes use of dust, human hair and household objects to create free-standing sculptures. Symbolically, dust can mean death, loss, mystery and memory. The artist explores these meanings by turning dust into artistic, sculptural forms. Hazelton also mentions that "Dust is a product of living, yet people want to clear all evidence of it away. It is an interesting material to use to explore broad and sometimes difficult subjects, such as mortality, as everyone has a relationship with dust, in some way or another." Hazelton’s works allows the viewer to put together the delicate relationship between creation and decay with a medium that is unlike any other contemporary art display. |
Vincent van Gogh Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette, est. 1885-86 Oil on canvas Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette is without a doubt one of Van Gogh’s more morbid pieces, and one of the most distinguished paintings from the artist’s Antwerp period. The painting was produced during the time where Van Gogh was suffering from poor health, and some interpret the painting as his way of coping or coming to terms with the idea of death. The painting is a momento mori, which is the medieval Latin Christian theory and practice of reflection on mortality. Momento mori translates to "remember that you have to die". The painting was completed when Van Gogh was studying art as a student at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. This painting showcases Van Gogh’s skilful command of anatomy. |
Paul Cézanne Pyramid of Skulls, 1901 Oil on canvas Pyramid of Skulls depicts four human skulls stacked atop of each other. Painted in a pale light against a dark background, Pyramid of Skulls is a unique as no other painting by Cézanne places his objects so close to the viewer. The stark realism and morbidity of the subject matter makes the painting all the more haunting. Three of the human skulls face forward directly, which gives the impression that they are staring at the viewer and the viewer’s impending death. |
References
Caseley, L. (2015, March 28). These ghostly sculptures are made out of something you throw out every day. Viralnova. Retrieved from http://
www.viralnova.com/paul-hazelton/
Cézanne, P. (1901). Pyramid of skulls [Painting]. Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Paul_C%C3%A9zanne
%2C_Pyramid_of_Skulls%2C_c._1901.jpg
Hazelton, P. (2011-12). Death duster [Sculpture]. Retrieved from http://paulhazelton.com/death-duster/
Hazelton, P. (2012). Depart [Sculpture]. Retrieved from http://paulhazelton.com/depart/
Saunders, E. (n.d.). Paul Hazelton's dust sculptures. Retrieved from http://www.artandsciencejournal.com/post/52396606664/paul-hazeltons- dust-sculptures-for-most-dust-is
Tate. (n.d.). Momento mori. Retrieved from http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/memento-mori
Totallyhistory.org. (n.d.). Pyramid of skulls. Retrieved from http://totallyhistory.com/pyramid-of-skulls/
Van Gogh, V. (1885-86). Skull of a skeleton with burning cigarette [Painting]. Retrieved from http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/
arts/artwork/early-paintings-by-vincent-van-gogh15.htm
Vggallery.com. (n.d.). Skull with burning cigarette. Retrieved from http://www.vggallery.com/painting/p_0212.htm
Caseley, L. (2015, March 28). These ghostly sculptures are made out of something you throw out every day. Viralnova. Retrieved from http://
www.viralnova.com/paul-hazelton/
Cézanne, P. (1901). Pyramid of skulls [Painting]. Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Paul_C%C3%A9zanne
%2C_Pyramid_of_Skulls%2C_c._1901.jpg
Hazelton, P. (2011-12). Death duster [Sculpture]. Retrieved from http://paulhazelton.com/death-duster/
Hazelton, P. (2012). Depart [Sculpture]. Retrieved from http://paulhazelton.com/depart/
Saunders, E. (n.d.). Paul Hazelton's dust sculptures. Retrieved from http://www.artandsciencejournal.com/post/52396606664/paul-hazeltons- dust-sculptures-for-most-dust-is
Tate. (n.d.). Momento mori. Retrieved from http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/memento-mori
Totallyhistory.org. (n.d.). Pyramid of skulls. Retrieved from http://totallyhistory.com/pyramid-of-skulls/
Van Gogh, V. (1885-86). Skull of a skeleton with burning cigarette [Painting]. Retrieved from http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/
arts/artwork/early-paintings-by-vincent-van-gogh15.htm
Vggallery.com. (n.d.). Skull with burning cigarette. Retrieved from http://www.vggallery.com/painting/p_0212.htm