In the art world, vanitas — translated ‘emptiness’ in Latin — is associated with Northern European still life painting in Flanders and the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Focused on the transient nature of vanity and beauty is has strong Biblical associations.

The push and pull of earthly pleasures vs divine redemption and the meaningless of earthly existence lies at the heart of vanitas art as social commentary. Among artists, vanitas art can be very morbid and also intellectually challenging, asking critical questions about the meaning of life.

For these insightful mixed media collages, Ashkan Honarvar used Vanitas symbols in an exploration of the equilibrium between life and death.  Honarvar collaborated with stylist Kathi Kauder and photographer Sabrina Theissen in a series first published in I Love You Magazine. See ILYM website. See Ashkan Honarvar website.