Appelant Gilles Archambault

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a carved duck decoy positioned before a weathered wooden backdrop and adorned with dried floral clusters. The artist has chosen a vertical format, emphasizing the height of the wood paneling and the upward reach of the flowers.
Here we see a deliberate contrast between the manufactured object – the duck – and the natural elements surrounding it. The ducks form is stylized, its paintwork exhibiting signs of age and wear, suggesting a history of use and exposure to the outdoors. Its posture conveys a sense of stillness, almost expectancy.
The wooden wall behind the decoy displays a rich texture; the grain is pronounced, knots are visible, and the surface appears scarred by time and weather. This backdrop lends an atmosphere of rustic simplicity and permanence. The floral arrangement, composed primarily of dried baby’s breath in shades of pink and cream, introduces a delicate counterpoint to the solidity of the wood and the manufactured nature of the decoy. Their fragility contrasts with the apparent durability of the other elements.
The lighting is carefully controlled, casting shadows that accentuate the textures of both the wood and the duck. The light source appears to be positioned slightly above and to the left, creating a sense of depth and volume.
Subtly, the arrangement evokes themes of human interaction with nature and the passage of time. The decoy, likely intended for hunting or display, represents a human intervention in the natural world. The dried flowers suggest a moment captured, preserved from decay. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on the relationship between artifice and authenticity, permanence and transience. Theres an underlying melancholy conveyed by the faded colors and the stillness of the scene, hinting at memories or a bygone era.