This book combines the photographic themes of nature and death in the most unexpected and macabre way, by photographically documenting the deaths of moths, beetles, and butterflies in glorious black and white images. An essay on the subject by the artist is also included, exploring her motivations about the project.

The 24 photographs featured in the book have been retouched by the artist so as to conceal and obscure her father’s original subject matter. Through this deliberate and provocative reworking and re-presentation of her father’s photographs, Rickett aims to question assumptions about the nature of collaboration, exploring notions of authorship and consent as well as the fluidity of meaning.

The Death of a Beautiful Subject, Rickett’s most autobiographical work to date, explores themes of dislocation, separation and reconciliation. The book traces and records a dialogue with the artist’s family, exploring photography as a means to navigate the world and its relations.

Central to the project is the written text, where the narrative moves non-sequentially through time. Each vignette evokes a sense of collapse, describing a moment that had appeared continuous or complete, but becomes fractured, revealing elements previously concealed or unnoticed.