Ephemerality

“Death Mask,” egg tempera and oil on linen 76”x86” 1990

Death and grief are inevitable aspects of life. Much art strives for a measure of immortality, if only as a statement about the ephemerality of all life. Now this administration seeks to censor the nations museums and control what is deemed worthy of immortality. Since we know Trump's taste is limited to covering everything in sight with gold leaf, this is not a good prognosis for our cultural future. However, it is a good opportunity to consider what is ephemeral and what death means.