smoking flowers,

Throughout history, flowers have often been endowed with human characteristics, serving as symbols of emotions, societal roles, and stages of life. In Greek mythology, the tale of Narcissus—who fell in love with his own reflection—ends with his transformation into the narcissus flower, a fitting conclusion to a story of vanity and self-obsession. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia’s garland features pansies symbolising thought, while in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, flowers are depicted with distinct personalities, voices, and even social hierarchies.

Delving into the golden age of still-life painting, particularly the works of 17th-century Dutch painters like Rachel Ruysch, we see luxury domestic items and flowers used to depict vanity and to question the value of materialism in the face of God or death. My floral portraits draw inspiration from these historical references, acting both as a tribute to the painters before me and as a critique of contemporary values.

Still life as a genre of painting to me, reflects the delicacy and fragility of our current societal trajectory. The wilting flowers in a glass vase are a metaphor for the decline of community in favour of material pursuits. Through a muted palette, I aim to evoke a sense of empathy and quiet reflection, prompting the viewer to consider our collective direction and the importance of conservation. Each flower is painted as a distinct entity, almost personified, to serve as a messenger—questioning what might become of humanity if we continue to value possessions over relationships and nature.

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