Chrisie Nimenko
There are artworks that are beautiful to look at.
And then there are artworks that make you stop.
Metamorphosis does both.
At first glance, it is almost overwhelmingly rich — 24 carat gold, butterflies, an angel, an ornate cross and layer upon layer of colour and detail. But spend a little longer with it and something much darker begins to reveal itself.
The skulls.
The relics.
The constant reminder of mortality sitting amongst all that beauty.
The work explores the ancient idea of Memento Mori — “remember you must die.” But for me, that doesn't make this a piece about death.
Quite the opposite.
It's about life.
The butterflies are perhaps the most important part. They represent metamorphosis — birth, change, transformation and ultimately the journey from life to death.
At the centre sits the angel and gold cross, photographed by the artist at Gloucester Cathedral, carrying the words:
“Blessed is the man that endureth.”
And that changes the piece again.
Suddenly it's not simply about mortality.
It's about what we do with the time between the beginning and the end.
Faith. Endurance. Transformation. Beauty. Mortality.
All existing together.
Created using mixed-media collage on 320gsm smooth fine-art paper, the work is hand-finished with gouache and genuine 24 carat gold leaf. The skulls and relics originate from photographs taken by the artist across Europe, giving the imagery another layer of authenticity and history.
Metamorphosis is now completely sold out.
And that's part of what I love about collecting.
Sometimes you buy something because it works perfectly on a wall.
Sometimes you buy something because you know you may never get another opportunity.
And occasionally, you find a piece that makes you think every single time you walk past it.
This is one of those pieces.
THE ALLUN LEWIS COLLECTION
Art collected. Stories preserved.
Chrisie Nimenko
There are artworks that are beautiful to look at.
And then there are artworks that make you stop.
Metamorphosis does both.
At first glance, it is almost overwhelmingly rich — 24 carat gold, butterflies, an angel, an ornate cross and layer upon layer of colour and detail. But spend a little longer with it and something much darker begins to reveal itself.
The skulls.
The relics.
The constant reminder of mortality sitting amongst all that beauty.
The work explores the ancient idea of Memento Mori — “remember you must die.” But for me, that doesn't make this a piece about death.
Quite the opposite.
It's about life.
The butterflies are perhaps the most important part. They represent metamorphosis — birth, change, transformation and ultimately the journey from life to death.
At the centre sits the angel and gold cross, photographed by the artist at Gloucester Cathedral, carrying the words:
“Blessed is the man that endureth.”
And that changes the piece again.
Suddenly it's not simply about mortality.
It's about what we do with the time between the beginning and the end.
Faith. Endurance. Transformation. Beauty. Mortality.
All existing together.
Created using mixed-media collage on 320gsm smooth fine-art paper, the work is hand-finished with gouache and genuine 24 carat gold leaf. The skulls and relics originate from photographs taken by the artist across Europe, giving the imagery another layer of authenticity and history.
Metamorphosis is now completely sold out.
And that's part of what I love about collecting.
Sometimes you buy something because it works perfectly on a wall.
Sometimes you buy something because you know you may never get another opportunity.
And occasionally, you find a piece that makes you think every single time you walk past it.
This is one of those pieces.
THE ALLUN LEWIS COLLECTION
Art collected. Stories preserved.
