Oysters 2015

Elina Brotherus' photograph "Oysters" captures the still life, or perhaps the very soon to be not-so-still life, of two platters of freshly shucked oysters. The cool, pearly tones of the oyster shells are offset by the bright yellow wedges of lemon, and the crushed ice adds a lovely textural counterpoint. What I like about this image is the way Brotherus arranges the oysters on the platters, almost like arranging paint on a palette. Each oyster is unique, with its own subtle variations in color and texture, just like dabs of paint. The composition is carefully considered, with the oysters arranged in a way that is both pleasing to the eye and slightly off-kilter, adding a touch of playful asymmetry. The image reminds me of the work of Jan Groover, who also explored the intersection of still life and photography. Both artists share a keen eye for composition and a willingness to experiment with the formal elements of their medium. "Oysters" celebrates the beauty of everyday objects and invites us to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, even if they're about to be slurped up in a matter of moments.