Provenance:
Private Collection, Auckland Purchased from Ferner Galleries, 2003 Exhibited:
Armitage Survey Exhibition Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 1974 Original label affixed verso
Still Life with War Mask and Skipping Rope demonstrates the mastery of colour for which Armitage is known, its vibrant backdrop of red and orange afford the scene an almost irresistible eye-popping quality. Armitage has described his own fascination with memento mori and childhood passion for the work of Francisco Goya, a passion which is certainly reflected in this subject matter of choice. Inviting the viewer to partake of his unique tradition of still-life painting, Armitage has succeeded in striking a balance between the playful, absurd and grim. This work was exhibited as part of the Art New Zealand 1974 Commonwealth Games Exhibition in Christchurch.