“A celebration of existence while simultaneously questioning the value of worldly endeavour.”
- Tarnya Cooper, Chief Curator of the National Portrait Gallery

Born in London in 1974, Alexander de Cadenet works in the media of photography, painting and sculpture. With a practice that draws inspiration from historical portraiture, spiritualism and symbolism, his work explores sacred traditions through a contemporary perspective. The skull portraits transform instruments of medical intention into artworks that explore themes of vanitas, the nature of celebrity and existential investigation. De Cadenet has been experimenting with this form of art for 20 years and the skull portraits have been widely exhibited and presented in numerous international private collections and publications.

Alex De Cadenet completed his BA at Courtauld Institute of Art, London in 1996. His exhibitions include Victoria & Albert Museum, (London), Courtauld Institute of Art, (London), Tate Britain (London), Gallery Marino (Rome) and the Beijing National Museum (Beijing). He has been featured in Time Out, Art of Britain, Art Tomorrow and Movements in Art Since 1945 by Thames and Hudson.