The term still life describes a work of art that depicts objects from the natural or man-made world. A still life can be a celebration of material pleasures such as food or wine, but may also be a warning of the ephemerality of these pleasures. A still life usually illustrates things that are inanimate and which are often part of daily life. In contemporary art, the concept of stillness and everydayness might be shown with cereal boxes, plastic utensils, superhero collectibles, or real fruit. That is, everyday life of the 21st century combining synthetic and organic material.

The objects on display in the Cairns Museum are not animated. But they used to be part of everyday life and are very much alive in helping tell the history of Cairns. Cairns Art Society artists have chosen various items from the Museum’s collection to represent stillness in an active contemporary way. Some of the artists recall their childhood through the chosen items and reflect on growing up with their parents and grandparents. For some artists, the items they have chosen prompt them to recall a particular era, a dream or an activity. And in remarkable and personal ways, each artist addresses environmental changes through their creations.