still life study, queen conch shell and glass vase

study of.a queen conch shell with a dagger

statement

rhea micallef-gavin is a british maltese painter whose work draws on the tradition of seventeenth century vanitas. her paintings place objects in deliberate relation, a tulip beside a cigarette, a pearl against a skull to let the tension between them do the work and create still moments for reflection. lemons for their mediterranean iconography, shells emulate feminine form, cigarettes for the paradox of contemporary life.

working in oils, observing objects closely placed together as a curatorial act, the selection and positioning of these objects allow so that new form and new meaning may emerge in the space between them. her practice sits alongside writing and radio, where the same interest holds: what pictorial language, people and words reveal about the culture they come from. her work is held in private collections, has been exhibited across london and europe, and featured in vogue italia, forbes, 10magazine, and love magazine.

Contact

Catalogue available upon request — always open to commissions and custom orders

reach out here: rhea.micallef.gavin@gmail.com