Still life is a secular genre in painting characterized by the depiction of a familiar reality, most often through the representation of commonplace inanimate objects. The codes of still life are the use of an often-theatrical composition and the depiction of the ephemeral or the perishable. Traditionally, consumable or perishable objects are the favorite subject matter in still lifes: fruit or food leftovers on a table, flowers etc.
The still life genre has a strong symbolism, and also includes representations of vanitas or “memento mori", sending a message on the passing time and the ephemerality of things.
Still life continues to inspire contemporary artist who revisit it and explore its limits.
Some of these artists are: Sharon Core, Ori Gersht, Peter Jones, Gabriel Orozco, Cindy Wright