Righteous 

Melissa Hefferlin painted "Righteous," a still life, using oil on canvas. The objects are rendered with meticulous care, a copper jug takes centre stage. Yet, beyond the technical skill, the juxtaposition of the ordinary, domestic items, like pitchers, set against textiles with coded, maybe even esoteric, symbols asks us to reflect on the construction of meaning within cultural artifacts. The symbols can be read as a connection between the material and spiritual worlds. The piece reflects the cultural landscape of the late 20th century, marked by a renewed interest in spirituality. It speaks to the way we seek meaning through objects. The composition invites contemplation on the silent narratives that objects carry and their capacity to represent something beyond their physical form. "Righteous," with its quiet intensity, prompts us to consider the narratives that the material world weaves around us and the stories these objects silently tell about our collective search for meaning.