The End of Civilisation (2022)Acrylic painting by Chris Walker

La Fin de la Civilisation - Amphorae and Pastis.
A structured, symbolic composition of a grid of twelve amphorae. Each vessel is rendered with its own distinct colour palette and internal patterning. The amphorae, each one unique, are stylised, with simplified silhouettes and bold, graphic interiors that make them feel both ancient and contemporary. The vibrant colours create contrast and movement across the grid. The patterned interiors indicate liquid, sediment, or symbolic contents, reinforcing the theme of vessels as carriers of culture.
A single, inverted, amphora is draining its final drop, a small but powerful detail that anchors the painting’s narrative. It is emblazoned with the well known Ricard "51" logo.
The painting uses amphorae, icons of ancient Mediterranean trade, to evoke the Greek trading and colonisation origins of Provençal civilisation. By pairing them with the idea of Pastis, a modern cultural symbol, the work bridges antiquity and contemporary Provence.
It’s a piece that balances humour, history, and graphic precision, inviting viewers to consider what we preserve, what we consume, and what we risk losing. Pop Art clarity with archaeological motifs gives the work a playful yet reflective tone. Here, in Provence, we have just celebrated 90 years of the first commercialization of Pastis by Paul Ricard in 1932. Here the last drop is drained. Is it the end of civilization as we know it? I introduce a wry, possibly melancholic question - is this a playful exaggeration, or a genuine reflection on cultural change?

Materials used:

acrylic paint

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 40 x 50 x 3cm (unframed) / 40 x 50cm (actual image size)
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the front
• Style: Urban and Pop
• Subject: Abstract and non-figurative

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