Madonna Staunton’s aim in this collage was simply to invite contemplation. Staunton likes to ‘bring to life’ disparate elements of what she terms ‘inert matter’, opening up new possibilities for them.

The work can be interpreted as a visual poem, embodying the notion that enlightenment may be found in the commonplace. This idea, coupled with her careful selection and placement of elements, reflects Staunton’s longstanding interest in Oriental philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism, whose teachings emphasise the importance of capturing the essence of the aesthetic object by the simplest of means.