Valerii Filipchenko (Val Filip) is a Ukrainian photographer, sculptor and designer. His artistic style was shaped by his fascination with Renaissance novels and Gothic symbolism. He was especially inspired by still-lifes in the Vanitas genre. So the idea of creating artworks that would combine symbolism with a pronounced philosophical and religious meaning arose. With references to historical characters whose example makes people not only remember the transience of life, but also call to think about the salvation of their souls.
Skull - a reminder of the inevitability of death. Almost obligatory attribute of still life of this genre. Similarly, as a portrait is only a reflection of a once living person, so the skull is only a form of a once living head. The viewer must perceive it as a "reflection"; it most clearly symbolizes the frailty of human life. In the genre of Vanitas, in addition to the skull, a large number of symbols are used. Each symbol has its own meaning. The symbols are meant to remind about the frailty of human life, the futility of pleasures and the fleeting nature of material goods.
Valerii Filipchenko brings his own vision to the classic style of Vanitas. Unexpected references to real historical characters. New author's interpretation of classical symbols, as well as the creation of new modern symbols
