There are often moments in life when we become pilgrims either physically or metaphorically. We take time exploring new ideas or directions in our lives. These pilgrimages can be life changing.

This piece is my tribute to the pilgrim in whatever form their journey takes.

The flowers come from my garden in East Suffolk (which in itself is part of my journey). They are gathered together to form a triangular arrangement with the Iris at its head. This flower in various forms has appeared in art since the fifteenth century, becoming very common, in various different species and hybrids, from the seventeenth century. It is represented as the fleur-di-lis in heraldry and is thought to have been symbolic of Christ or divine rule and a symbol of the Virgin as the Heavenly Queen, since the middle ages.

Either side of the Iris is Columbine (Acquilegia). This flower’s five petals form into the shape of a dove which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and of peace. The Columbine’s leaf also divides into three so it is also symbolic of the Trinity.

The rest of the arrangement comprises peonies and roses. Peonies speak of lost abundance or bygone beauty and because they flower around Whitsun (Pentecost) which is 8 June this year, they are also associated with the Holy Ghost and their triple leaves with the Trinity.

The rose is the most common flower depicted in paintings since the Ancient Greeks, symbolising every kind of love. They still represent devotion today, in all its forms. Often shown with or without prickles, the rose references the Virgin Mary. Some of those writing the books of the studies on emblems, state that its most important property, above the beauty of the bloom, is the scent which lingers, like a true love.

White birds’ feathers speak of distant travels and the broken egg could be interpreted as a new life beginning, perhaps because of the pilgrimage undertaken.

The scallop shell has long been associated with pilgrimage, particularly with the Camino de Santiago. It is a metaphor for pilgrimage which epitomises the idea that the journey is more important than the destination.

Whether you have undertaken a traditional pilgrimage or one where you spent time analysing your life and where it was taking you, this piece is dedicated to you. My journey has been one of numerous directions and false hopes. My last major change in direction occurred after being treated for two different cancers a few months apart. That kind of thing really raises questions as to what one wants out of life. So, here I am, still exploring, still creating. Who knows where the next turn will take me.

We’ve all seen the Memento Mori still life paintings of the Dutch Golden Age but the themes contained within them can be traced back to Greek and Roman times. They are cautionary tales reminding us that however we live our lives, it is all illusory. Our time here is limited and whatever we do while we are here, such as writing, making music, amassing wealth or living well, will all pass.

This was a popular idea during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in the Lowlands when a beautiful painting of sumptuous objects was a striking addition to one’s wall but, for the growing mercantile class, it also served as a reminder that the amassing of money was no way of avoiding the inevitable.

As with all of my photographs, influenced by the Dutch and Flemish Masters, this is an allegory so its true meaning is something beyond what you see at first. There are hidden meanings in every object there and while the 17th century viewer would have recognised them immediately it may be more challenging to the 21st century one.

The Spring narcissi allude to the coming of new life while the tulips are more exotic, harking back to the time of “Tulip Mania” when they were only available to the very rich. Indeed those 17th century paintings of tulips in vases were created because it was cheaper to pay an artist to paint a picture than to buy the flowers themselves!

The violin, books, quill and inkwell, music manuscripts and books speak of those earthly activities which were considered to be purely ephemeral. The spilled Roemer glass was often included as it showed the owner was so wealthy they didn’t bother about a wine glass being knocked over. On the other hand, another interpretation is that it alludes to the transience of life.

It is not all doom and gloom, however. There are symbols of hope, resurrection and an afterlife. The traditional memento mori paintings had invitations to invest in what lasts beyond death, namely the soul. This type of work is saying that no matter how transient life is, there is always something higher to which one can aspire.

Wheat ears often appear in depictions of the Adoration of Christ in the manger. Grain was then considered a symbol of the Resurrection and so of the redemption of the soul. Here they give hope of an afterlife.

The passage of time is represented by the hourglass and pocket watch, showing the inevitability of time running out which we can do nothing about. Shells have always been symbolic of transition, having been containers of living creatures. The scallop shells in particular represent the journey, both physical and spiritual, of the pilgrim. Sea glass tumbles in the North Sea for an unknown amount of time before it is washed up on the beach and so I feel it speaks of journeys of an indeterminate length. Feathers always symbolise transition too, creatures moving on and also representing the Holy Ghost.

Bubbles were often shown in the paintings of the Dutch and Flemish Masters either as physical bubbles or glass spheres and were known as homa bulla the metaphor “man is a bubble”. Although a person may look strong and substantial, life itself is as fleeting as a bubble.

This photograph is the latest of my still lifes and as usual is created using window light only. It took a long time in designing the overall idea, many hours of construction and bucket loads of patience to get the light just right.

Memento Mori may mean “remember you will die” but it is also a concept that can result in luscious, interesting and even mesmerising images, offering hope. I do hope you agree.

Recent rain and wind have done for the tulips but not before I managed to take some portraits of them. This is one, a small example that will be going into a 30x30cm frame.

A small (14.5cm high) arrangement of Narcissi, Tulips, Bluebells and Snake’s Head Fritillaries.

The Narcissus is a well known harbinger of Spring and is associated with the Resurrection of Christ. Tulips have long been associated with transient beauty and luxury because of the terrifically high price they commanded in the seventeenth century.

The English Bluebell is found in ancient woodlands as well along hedgerows and is often felt to symbolise fairy enchantment as well as humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. The Snake’s Head Fritillary is amongst the most delightful of English wild flowers, getting ever rarer. Some feel they are every bit a match for the tulip but their flowers bow down, combining beauty and humility.

This tiny arrangement offers the hope and expectation that Spring brings enhanced by the appearance of a bumble bee diligently exploring the flowers.