The Poetry of Bones and beauty of Decay • Photographs by James Bostick

This collection of photographs created by James Bostick explores the dark side of his approach to still life imagery. “Obscurum” reflects on occult themes are inspired by the “Wunderkammer” collection of oddities from his Salem home.

The Obscurum series reveals the poetry of bones and the beauty of decay. These images are inspired by obscure objects of curiosity and include symbols imbued with occult meanings.

Bostick is captivated by the reality that some of the bones and natural artifacts, with their intricate curves, delicate latticework, and pearly sheen, remain invisible until the very end of life. These structures are remarkable in their geometry and subtle coloration and lie hidden within, destined to outlast the flesh and silently narrate the enduring mystery of existence.

Photographing these bones and shells allows us to appreciate their hidden beauty and contemplate their significance in ways we might never do while alive; through the lens, what was once overlooked becomes illuminated, inviting a new reverence for the forms that support life.

In capturing these images, Bostick reveals that every object, no matter how ordinary or macabre, takes on a heightened importance. The camera reveals textures, shadows, and the quiet poetry etched in the fractal lines of a vertebra or the smooth curvature of a skull. Some images may challenge the viewer, but even discomfort uncovers truth: these photographs offer a space to witness overlooked marvels, where decay transforms into a luminous meditation on wonder.