The Old Times Collective

Today we dedicate to the old times... Memento Tea was initially born as Collective, in August 2016, running on social media as Facebook and Instagram.

✦ Why "Memento Tea"? Memento mori ("remember that you have to die") is a Latin expression, originating from a practic common in Ancient Rome; as a general came back victorious from a battle, and during his parade ("Triumph") received compliments and honors from the crowd of citizens, he ran the risk of falling victim to haughtiness and delusions of grandeur; to avoid it, a slave stationed behind him would say "Respice post te. Hominem te memento" ( "Look after you [to the time after your death] and remember you're [only] a man."). It was then reused during the medieval period, it is also related to the ars moriendi ("The Art of Dying") and related literature. Memento mori has been an important part of ascetic disciplines as a means of perfecting the character by cultivating detachment and other virtues, and by turning the attention towards the immortality of the soul and the afterlife. In art, mementos mori are artistic or symbolic reminders of mortality. In the European Christian art context, "the expression... developed with the growth of Christianity, which emphasized Heaven, Hell, and salvation of the soul in the afterlife." [Wikipedia: https://goo.gl/s1sHqW ]

Artistically, Memento Mori historical theme give to most of contemporary artists such a powerful inspiration.... Like an ironic touch like a pause for a "tea time" waiting for the imminent end. The goal of the collective, and now, as gallery is showing have this state of mind, an elegant, cute, and illustrative gothic/horror, inspired by Death and related. There is no fear of the Schythe.

---

Memento Tea Collective was an enthusiastic group of artists, united by the passion to explore the different sides of Death, in an ironic, philisophical, historical and even sweet way. We are grateful to our artists, who have dedicated their time during the collective, and they are welcome if they want to participate and contribute with their magnificent works in the new gallery.

THANK YOU!

Please, enjoy the full gallery of every contributions, through the site and the auctions by clicking on the picture below. Some of their works are still available. If you are interested, contact them directly through the credits on every artwork.

---

A selection of some contributions of past auctions

---

⊱ Memento Tea Gallery ⊰