The roots of still life photography can be traced to the 17th century and the Dutch word stilleven. Paintings of flowers and foodstuffs were hugely popular in Europe, each one imbued with allegorical meanings around mortality, wealth and transience. The invention of the camera in the 1800s provided a new means of documenting the material world. It was harnessed by seminal 20th century art movements, from Bauhaus to Surrealism. Since then, creatives have continued to play with the format. Los Angeles-based Justin Bettman is one such example. As a commercial, editorial and fine art photographer, he is recognised for crafting playful depictions of everyday activities, often with a retro edge. Sofa Spectrum looks back to the recent past, drawing on nostalgic Polaroids, analogue alarm clocks and walkie talkies. Each is positioned upon plush crushed velvet upholstery, revelling in rich orange, deep purple, sunshine yellow and royal blue.

justinbettman.com | @justinbettman

All images courtesy Justin Bettman.