Morph

We often favor plants in their most alive and visually appealing state. We see the peak of their existence as what they may offer us, after the laborious nurturing they've undergone (often with the help of human hands). I can’t help but see the similarity in how we value ourselves: in our most successful, beautiful, self-actualized state. But is it fair to overlook the wonder of seeds germinating below the surface, or of gravity sculpting the petals of a dying plant? What can their development and ephemeral nature teach us about ourselves?

My ongoing series–Morph–explores florals often found in arrangements, such as dahlias, irises and roses, through varying stages of development and regression. Each form is pursued through a lens of visual intrigue, rather than the associations we may have for them. Using white charcoal on black paper, each plant is accompanied by abstract marks and textures, playing off the complex processes found in nature. With a nod to the Vanitas movement, I invite viewers to explore the mirror that plants provide for us in all areas of life, such as impermanence, beauty, our collective values, and our approach to our environment.