Ben Degen: Old Vase, New Buildings, Fresh Flowers, 2016

38.5 x 24.5 inches
10 color screenprint on Coventry Rag 290gsm
Edition of 40 with 1 artist's proof and 1 printer's proof
Published and printed by Kayrock Screenprinting

I was basing the composition on the trope of Vanitas paintings. These paintings traditionally show the transience of earthly life and form through compositions of objects that show the transition from form to emptiness. These are usually still-lifes depicting a candle, flowers, fruit and vegetables, bones. In this picture I wanted to zoom out from the traditional table-top still-life composition to include an out-the-window landscape view. I've been working with this idea of "The view from the window / the view from the street." In this picture I was thinking about the transience of our landscape- which I've been witnessing as the architecture and shape of our city is changing so quickly around us. The city itself is a Vanitas.