The exhibition is being organized by 10  USF visual arts students. 

The artists strive to reinterpret traditional “memento mori” imagery. In the footsteps of the Romantics, the artists acknowledge the notion of the sublime nature of death by embracing the ideas of change and loss. Ultimately, the artists strive to reinvent these very notions, in order to provide a contemporary and thoughtful meditation on the meaning of objects left behind when a person dies

The Life and Death of Objects Left Behind is an exhibition that explores the themes of existence, transcendence and renewal in the objects and artifacts left when a person dies. Ten artists respond to these themes by manipulating objects -- found, purchased at estate sales or thrift shops, passed down from generations or fabricated.

Memento Mori features works in painting, drawing, sculpture, etching and mixed media. Artist Jessica Niello’s five dry point etchings with monoprint overlay, a series entitled Eulogy (2005), chronicle the life of her grandmother, sitting in her favorite chair. The final etching, Eulogy V, depicts the chair alone—captur-Eulogy V, depicts the chair alone—captur-Eulogy V ing the quiet essence of human frailty, and reminding the viewer of the literal translation of memento mori: “remember, you must die.” Participating artists include Kristan Bonde, Megan Cayler, Gerardo Chow, Morgan Ersery, Ben Gadbaw, Melissa Levin, Edith Mondragon, Jessica Niello, Kevin Quandt, Sharon Siskin, Piper Skillman, and James Waldron. .