Wellcome Gallery- The Death Exhibition..(2012)

The Wellcome Gallery in Euston is one of my favourite galleries to frequently visit. Always such a refreshing and enlightening visit that leaves me curious and exciting to start a new piece of art. Recently they held an exhibition called 'The Death-Self Portrait'. Showing a collection of death related art pieces,  i love the different genres, medium and displays at the Wellcome Gallery. One of the main pieces within this exhibition that caught my eye was, this stunning clothbound book filled with inspiring and captivating illustrations, depicting an exploration into a desire to 'make peace with death' I thought some of pieces shown related a lot to old vintage tattoos, portraits of figures with this almost painted mask over the face with skull like skeleton contours. The book consisted of five different sections, 'Contemplating Death', 'The dance of Death', 'Violent Death', 'Love and Death' and 'Commemoration'.
As morbid and hard to come to terms with as Death is, this exhibition although tackled violent, disturbing and moving artworks, the approach was much light hearted and one which prepared a person in the reality of Death and coming to an end. I thought this exhibition would be particularly intriguing to visit also because i had currently been researching into the art of Mexican Sugar Skulls, this correlated perfectly with this exhibition as it is said to be believed amongst the Mexican people that on the Day of the Dead, by dramatically painting and decorating skulls to place with the deceased. Decorated with swirls and dots of icing sugar, with bright colours, beads and feathers often seen on these skulls, it is a beautiful and creative way of remembering those that have passed on. I admire the many diverse aspects that come with the belief and encouragement of these decorative skulls, leading the past and loved souls back to home one day. Flowers and skulls have a huge association in Death and the end. In Mexico the 'Cempazúchitl' which translates as 'Marigold' is believed to be the flower of the dead.