©Sander Martens, Cause & effect, Surhuisterveen, the Netherlands IG: @sandermartensphotography

The genre of still life is as iconic as it is indefinable: loosely considered an image of a grouping of staged inanimate objects, still life photography has grown with and reflected the medium itself. The influence of painting on early still life is palpable: from Nicephore Niepce’s 19^th century heliographs of set tables to followers of 20^th century pictorialism who attempted to elevate the medium through works which mirrored academic masters, photography and still life painting have a uniquely potent relationship. The inspiration found in iconic scenes produced by 16^th – 18^th century painters can still be seen in contemporary work; however, as the medium of photography has evolved so too has the genre of still life. This exhibit highlights the works of contemporary photographers during a time when the reality of isolation reflected in the still life is uniquely poignant. Still life differs from other artistic genres, as it continues to be a conduit to singularly capture an artist’s style and internal life, allowing the photographer to meticulously set and place a scene. Ultimately, the genre of still life mirrors photography itself: a medium which both captures memory by stopping time and reflects the mortality we must all come to terms with, whether it be from vanitas of rotting fruit and dying plants or poignant scenes evoking times with family and togetherness. The works in this virtual exhibit grapple with deeply human feelings of loneliness, mortality, and the joy found in simple daily moments. Thank you to all who shared their fantastic work with us, and congratulations to the selected artists.

©Rodney Gene Mahaffey, The Arrangement, Model, CO, IG @duckheadphotography

©Gemma Pepper, Last Christmas, Zurich, Switzerland, IG:@gempepper

©LaCheryl Porter, Rush of Air, Los Angeles, IG @lacherylp

©Nathalie Seaver, Feeling Blue, Los Angeles, CA IG@nathalieseaver

©Patricia Ackerman, Silence, IG @patricia.ackerman_photos

©Alexander Diaz, Untitled, St. Augustine, FL IG @alexander_diaz_photo

©Alison R. Miller, Food for Thought (series), Virginia Beach, Va. IG: @alisonrmillerphotography

©Amber Lee Williams, Reclining Nude (Cinnamon Raisin Bread), Ontario, Canada IG@amberlee.art

©Anna Sibylla, A Fragile Equilibrium (self-portrait), the Netherlands, IG @annasibylla.photography

©Arrayah Loynd, 19% #1, Melbourne, Australia, IG @arrayahloyndphotographer

©BJane Levine, Compost Pile, New York, NY IG @bjanelevine

©Amy Bassin, Civil Atrocities, Long Island City, NY IG@amybassin

©Jamie Bernstein, Cleansing, Baltimore, MD, IG @radjew

©Beth Galton, I see myself reflected , NY, NY, IG @bethgaltonstudio

©Bruno Silva, Prophylactic, Fânzeres, Portugal IG @bruno.leite.silva

©Christina Fontimayor, Brown Liquor on my Breath, Columbus, Ga IG @always.avionne.art

©Dawn Woolley, Celebrate (blancmange Dentata 2, London, UK IG: @dawncwoolley

©Doctor Picturesque, Still Life of Death, 2021

©Faustinus Deraet, Found Mask Study #18, Austin, TX, IG: faustinus

©Fred Johnsson, Magic Egg Yolk, Hamburg, Germany @zenjohnzen

©Hillary Goidell, SUPER, Berkeley, CA IG @hillarygoidell

©Jesse Egner, Nightstand, Brooklyn, NY IG @JesseEgner

©Judi Iranyi, Still Life, San Francisco, CA

©Justin Carney, Comfort, Baltimore, MD IG @joule_zei

©Kaitlin Jencso, Untitled (July), St. Mary’s County, MD IG @kaitinjencso

©Karen Allain, Anxious Egg, Exeter, UK IG @thebaronski

©Kevin Hoth, Evil Pumpkin, Boulder, CO IG: @KevinHoth

©Kyle Lee Hoo, Quarantine, Lake Ariel, PA IG @kylelhoo

© Lorna MacKay, Megan’s Workbench, Collodion Wet Plate Tintype, Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) IG:@lornamackay_

©Luke Harby, Fernet Branca, 35mm photograph, Northampton, UK IG @lukeharby

©Marcos Azulay False Rarities Buenos Aires, Argentina IG @azulaymarcos

©Calli McCaw, Fading Away, New York, NY @callimccawfineartphotography

©Melissa Eder, Everything Under the Sun Except the Sun (Meat), IG@ IG: @melissaederart

©Molly Wood, Vanitas with Lilies of the Valley 6592, Des Moines, IA IG @mollywoodphoto2

©Maureen S. Kaveney Pear Study #1

©Sara Harley, Balancing Act, Bridgewater, NS IG @saraharley.studio

©Sara Silks, Geography is Destiny, Platinum Palladium Print, LACP-Los Angeles, CA IG @sara_silks

©Valerie Kruglova, Feminine, Rostov-on-Don, Russia IG @paused_light

Natalie Cooney is pursuing an M.A. in art history and curatorial studies at City College of New York. Her research has focused on the history of photography with a range of focus from Victorian post-mortem photography to contemporary work, and is expecting to finish her studies in May 2022. Prior to graduate school, Cooney was the gallery director for the New Orleans Photo Alliance, where she worked closely with photographers to produce exhibitions which elevated artists based in Louisiana and throughout the United States. She has also worked with PhotoNOLA to help produce the annual photo festival and portfolio reviews.. She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.