The Visitor
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‘The Visitor’ by Emma Coombes at the Elm & the Raven Shortlisted for the 2025 Henry Jones Art Prize. Still life with a Tasmanian twist
THE VISITOR
TASMANIAN STILL LIFE SERIES
FINALIST IN THE 2025 HENRY JONES ART PRIZE
This work was shortlisted for the prestigious Henry Jones Art Prize and was part of the 2025 exhibition of finalists.
'The Visitor' explores the still life as a space where natural history, memory and imagination converge. Composed and lit to echo the theatrical depth of seventeenth century Dutch painting, it reimagines the genre through a Tasmanian lens. In a simple vase, native flora rises alongside antique vessels, rich cloth, abalone shells, a lemon and other familiar household artefacts. A contemporary echo of the symbolic abundance celebrated in the classical still life.
The work began as an idea to incorporate taxidermied native wildlife in a traditional still life setting. When access to authentic specimens proved impossible, I introduced surrogates. A plush eastern quoll emerges from the shadows, a stand in for a more lifelike counterpart. A hand felted pink robin lends its form to replicate the original. Their playful presence transforming what might have been a dark vanitas inspired still life into something unexpectedly playful and poignant, blending theatre with the commonplace. Despite the jest, a more serious message emerges, will our wildlife be reduced to plush caricatures if we continue to invade their habitats.
Photographed in an historic Tasmanian location whose stone walls and natural window light offered a ready made baroque backdrop, the image is digitally crafted much like a painting. Light and shadow sculpted, colour graded and textured layered and pigments applied to bring the wild things to life in crafting a painterly premise.
Printed as an archival print on cotton rag, 'The Visitor' invites you to linger over its richness and reflect on our revolving relationship with art, culture and the environment.
Printed on archival-quality paper and available in a 2 sizes
THE VISITOR | AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES
- Print paper size - 594mm x 420mm (A2) EDITION of 8 (+3AP)
- Print paper size – 483mm x 329mm (A3+) EDITION of 12
Note: This image may be available in mini print and card stock. Other sizes may be available. Please enquire with the artist directly. EXTRA INFORMATION
- Signed and numbered by the artist with Certificate of Authenticity
- Images come with a white border for signing, issue number and framing purposes. Designed to maintain the aspect ratio of the image on the paper size stated.
MUSEUM QUALITY
- Archival Lucia Pigment ink
- Museum quality Ilford Cotton rag 310gsm