Vanitas

In my art project, I draw inspiration from the concept of "vanitas," a Latin word meaning "vanity." In this context, it speaks to the futility and emptiness of chasing worldly pursuits. This idea is central to a genre of art that uses powerful symbols to remind us of life's fleeting nature and the inevitability of death.

Vanitas art often incorporates imagery like skulls, withering flowers, and hourglasses, symbols of the body’s decay, time’s relentless passage, and the end of all earthly endeavors. To emphasize the theme of vanity, I chose to depict decay on the human form itself, symbolizing how our obsession with beauty and materialism fades with time. Through my work, I aim to evoke these reflections, encouraging viewers to question the value of material wealth and momentary pleasures.