Tomislav Spikic – Lamb, De Tomislav Spikic

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around themes of sacrifice and sustenance, rendered in a muted, earthy palette. A roughly textured wall serves as the backdrop, its warm brown tones creating a sense of enclosure and age. Affixed to this wall is a folded sheet of paper displaying an illustration of a lamb, depicted in profile. The animal’s form is rendered with meticulous detail, yet its presence feels distanced, almost like a scientific specimen pinned for observation rather than a living creature. The folds of the paper disrupt the image, suggesting fragmentation or concealment.
Below this visual element sits a white plate upon which various organic objects are arranged. A sprig of rosemary occupies the left side, its aromatic nature hinting at ritualistic cleansing or remembrance. Adjacent to it lies a single walnut, alongside several smaller nuts and what appears to be a fragment of shell. The arrangement is deliberate, evoking a sense of offering or provision.
The surface upon which the plate rests is also wooden, echoing the wall’s texture and reinforcing the overall feeling of rustic simplicity. Scattered around the base of the plate are additional fragments of nut shells, contributing to an atmosphere of quiet consumption and decay.
Subtly, the work explores a complex interplay between life and death, representation and reality. The lambs image on paper stands in stark contrast to the tangible elements of food and natural objects below. This juxtaposition suggests a contemplation of sacrifice – the animal represented as a symbol, while the sustenance it provides is presented directly. The muted color scheme and aged textures contribute to an atmosphere of solemnity and introspection, inviting reflection on themes of mortality, provision, and the symbolic weight of tradition.