Persephone's Surrender

About Persephone's Surrender

This realistic oil painting is a still life of a pomegranate.

A single pomegranate sits on a windowsill against a stunning countryside view framed by a blue sky and wisps of pink clouds. Ciba Karisik’s still life paintings are so realistic they look like photographs. Highly regarded internationally by both collectors and critics, Karisik’s skill is evident in the remarkable detail he attains, enhanced by a rich palette and a masterful use of light. The red-orange of the large pomegranate stands out against the dark colour of the stone windowsill and the greens and blues of the scene behind it. One shiny red seed placed in the foreground may represent abundance and fortune. In addition to the use of a skillful trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) technique, the artist has heightened the importance of the subject through chiaroscuro (Italian for light/dark), the use of strong tonal contrasts. The name is a reference to the Greek myth that the goddess Persephone was said to have eaten pomegranate seeds (binding her to the Underworld and creating the seasons) once she surrendered to her role as its Queen.

“My paintings are symbolic, experimental and nostalgic, telling eloquent stories of humanity.” Ciba Karisik

Ciba Karisik completed a bachelor’s degree in 1985 and a master’s in painting at the Sarajevo Academy of Fine Art. In 1992, Karisik immigrated to Canada where he continued his career. Since then, he has produced a significant body of work and exhibited regularly in solo and group exhibitions. His paintings are held in international corporate and private collections in Canada, the US, England and Europe. Notable collectors include Brian Mulroney, Alex Trebek, Martin Short, Martha Stewart and U2’s Bono.