The still life marks Bailey’s mature engagement with the memento mori tradition, a genre deeply rooted in artistic history. Central to this composition is the skull, which Bailey depicts against a stark background illuminated by dramatic lighting. This approach accentuates the sculptural quality of the skull, reinforcing its significance as a focal point within the piece. By eschewing sentimentality and decorative elements, Bailey offers a contemporary interpretation of a classic art historical theme, reflecting his longstanding interest in ethnographic artefacts and the inherent symbolic power of objects, both of which significantly inform his visual sensibility.

Bailey's skull studies emerged during a period of artistic reassessment. The memento mori is a visual metaphor; a contemplative meditation on mortality, resonating with photography’s historical role as a medium that preserves life and signifies its inevitable passing. In this light, Bailey’s work becomes a poignant reflection on the nature of existence itself.

The present work reveals Bailey’s conceptual depth and ongoing artistic evolution. He remains steadfastly engaged with universal aspects of the human condition, using his medium to explore and challenge perceptions of life, death, and the passage of time.