Matthew Cook centers his artistic practice around the concept of still life, reinvigorating the genre by creating a delicate balance between modernity and tradition. His pieces offer a space for dialogue between life and death, and also explore themes of presence and ephemerality. Through the elegance of his compositions, Cook provides fresh insights into this vanitas genre, drawing influence from American literature and culture to offer meaningful reflections on contemporary society and its values. With his technical mastery and dexterity, Cook breathes new life into the still life genre, building upon the legacy left by the masters who preceded him.