Still Life

A Student Photography Exhibition

Curated by Iwan Bagus

July 16th - August 9th, 2025

“Obsolescence honors the fading formats that once carried our stories, asking what we leave behind when the medium disappears. In an age obsessed with updates, Obsolescence asks us to pause and honor the imperfect, the dated, the physical. A once precious archive of CDs, charging cords, iPods, and jewel cases that once held our desires, heartbreaks, coming-outs, and quiet revolutions, now sit discarded, chaotic, half-lit, but not forgotten..”

“Memento of Silence reflects my exploration of the tension between life and death, beauty and decay. Inspired by vanitas still lifes, I composed this photograph using a classical bust, a flower-adorned skull, and a stopped clock to evoke the passage of time and the fragility of existence. Through rich textures and symbolic objects, I invite viewers into a quiet contemplation on what we cherish, what fades, and what might endure.”

“This still life photograph brings together elements from the nine most common food allergens, arranged to evoke a sense of unease. The image stems from a deeply personal place. My wife lives with a long list of food allergies, and what may seem like everyday ingredients to most can carry real risk for her. Eating out, sharing meals, and even accepting food from others becomes complicated, often isolating. Over time, I’ve learned to cook as a way to care for her. Every ingredient is checked, every surface cleaned. Through this photograph, I wanted to capture not only the potential danger of these foods but also the emotional weight they carry. It is a portrait of vigilance and adaptation.”

“This photograph explores the tension between organic matter, the fruits and vegetables we grow to eat, and the impact of human technological advancements on that natural system. The contrast between the drill press and the destroyed and remade produce evoke questions about nourishment, control, and the self-defeating impact of human intervention on the natural world.”

“I was raised within the church and attended a religious school, but unlike many other queer individuals I managed to find religious leaders that either didn't touch the subject of being gay or preached about love and acceptance as they should. Because of this I was spared the shame around not only queer love, but queer desire. I try to see God in everything, but there is no easier place to find Him than in my love, be it as innocent as catching their eye atop the pages of a book or something more carnal in nature."

“A Quiet Slice is a contemporary homage to 19th-century American painter John F. Peto, known for his realistic, ruminative compositions. Inspired by his 1890 painting Still Life with Cake, Lemon, Strawberries, and Glass, I mirrored the arrangement and atmosphere, translating brushstrokes into photographic texture and light. A sense of stillness captures the feeling of suspended time; an intentional pause to highlight the beauty of a decisive moment. Bold colors in the fruit and cake draw the viewer in, while the muted background directs focus to the subject. The softness of the drapery and the visual repetition of brushstrokes reflect the influence of modern art, blending photographic precision with painterly expression.”