Hillview Floristry
This silkscreen print captures a fleeting moment at a humble market stall, transforming the mundane into a tapestry of interconnected stories. A vast expanse of pink sweeps across the composition—the plastic wrap enveloping a bouquet of flowers, both concealing and revealing the beauty within. Adjacent, a bold swath of blue represents the flimsy plastic bag, commonplace yet often overlooked in the bustle of daily life. Between these vivid planes, the winter hardened fingers of Wanda, the flower seller, emerge, presenting the blossoms with a quiet grace. Her smile is subtly woven into the scene, a hint of warmth amidst the abstract forms.
Wanda's features dissolve into halftone dots, reminiscent of vintage newsprint from half a century ago. These dots evaporate and morph into the very flowers she tends, suggesting a metamorphosis where the seller and her wares become one. Each bloom carries a fragment of her essence, infusing the ordinary transaction with personal significance. When patrons purchase her flowers, they unknowingly take with them a piece of Wanda herself—a subtle commentary on the intimate connections forged through everyday exchanges.
The artwork delves into themes of identity and labor, echoing contemporary explorations of how individuals pour themselves into their work. The juxtaposition of the vibrant, natural beauty of the flowers against the stark, utilitarian plastic highlights the contrast between the organic and the manufactured, the cherished and the discarded. It invites viewers to find elegance in unexpected places, to see beyond the surface and recognize the hidden narratives that inhabit familiar spaces.
Influenced by the raw energy of poets like Charles Bukowski, the piece channels a gritty authenticity, embracing the imperfect and the real. It aligns with modern artistic dialogues that examine the commodification of the self and the humanizing of commerce. The halftone technique bridges past and present, nodding to traditional printing methods while engaging with contemporary aesthetics. This fusion of old and new mirrors the evolving landscape of the town's businesses and the ever-changing face of community.
As part of a series that casts an oblique gaze upon local enterprises, the print captures the essence of a town through its unnoticed details and overlooked angles. It celebrates the quiet dignity of everyday workers like Wanda, whose personal touch imbues their labor with deeper meaning. The transformation of her image into flowers serves as a metaphor for the symbiotic relationship between people and their crafts—the way identities intertwine with professions, and how personal stories become intertwined with the objects we share.
"Wanda's Gift" is more than a depiction of a market scene; it's a meditation on transformation, value, and human connection. In a world where transactions are often impersonal, this artwork pauses to honor the intimacy of simple acts. It invites contemplation on what we truly receive when we engage with others—perhaps not just a product, but a narrative, a shared human experience that enriches both giver and receiver.
Through its layers of color, texture, and meaning, the piece stands as a thought-provoking reflection on the intersections of art, poetry, and daily life. It whispers that beauty resides not just in grand displays, but in the subtle, the overlooked, and the heartfelt contributions of individuals who leave pieces of themselves in all that they do.
Summary
· Medium: silkscreen print
· Layers: 4
· Paper: Somerset Velvet (300gsm)
· Frame size - H: 41cm W: 31.5cm
· Print edition size: 10
· Signed and numbered in pencil
This silkscreen print captures a fleeting moment at a humble market stall, transforming the mundane into a tapestry of interconnected stories. A vast expanse of pink sweeps across the composition—the plastic wrap enveloping a bouquet of flowers, both concealing and revealing the beauty within. Adjacent, a bold swath of blue represents the flimsy plastic bag, commonplace yet often overlooked in the bustle of daily life. Between these vivid planes, the winter hardened fingers of Wanda, the flower seller, emerge, presenting the blossoms with a quiet grace. Her smile is subtly woven into the scene, a hint of warmth amidst the abstract forms.
Wanda's features dissolve into halftone dots, reminiscent of vintage newsprint from half a century ago. These dots evaporate and morph into the very flowers she tends, suggesting a metamorphosis where the seller and her wares become one. Each bloom carries a fragment of her essence, infusing the ordinary transaction with personal significance. When patrons purchase her flowers, they unknowingly take with them a piece of Wanda herself—a subtle commentary on the intimate connections forged through everyday exchanges.
The artwork delves into themes of identity and labor, echoing contemporary explorations of how individuals pour themselves into their work. The juxtaposition of the vibrant, natural beauty of the flowers against the stark, utilitarian plastic highlights the contrast between the organic and the manufactured, the cherished and the discarded. It invites viewers to find elegance in unexpected places, to see beyond the surface and recognize the hidden narratives that inhabit familiar spaces.
Influenced by the raw energy of poets like Charles Bukowski, the piece channels a gritty authenticity, embracing the imperfect and the real. It aligns with modern artistic dialogues that examine the commodification of the self and the humanizing of commerce. The halftone technique bridges past and present, nodding to traditional printing methods while engaging with contemporary aesthetics. This fusion of old and new mirrors the evolving landscape of the town's businesses and the ever-changing face of community.
As part of a series that casts an oblique gaze upon local enterprises, the print captures the essence of a town through its unnoticed details and overlooked angles. It celebrates the quiet dignity of everyday workers like Wanda, whose personal touch imbues their labor with deeper meaning. The transformation of her image into flowers serves as a metaphor for the symbiotic relationship between people and their crafts—the way identities intertwine with professions, and how personal stories become intertwined with the objects we share.
"Wanda's Gift" is more than a depiction of a market scene; it's a meditation on transformation, value, and human connection. In a world where transactions are often impersonal, this artwork pauses to honor the intimacy of simple acts. It invites contemplation on what we truly receive when we engage with others—perhaps not just a product, but a narrative, a shared human experience that enriches both giver and receiver.
Through its layers of color, texture, and meaning, the piece stands as a thought-provoking reflection on the intersections of art, poetry, and daily life. It whispers that beauty resides not just in grand displays, but in the subtle, the overlooked, and the heartfelt contributions of individuals who leave pieces of themselves in all that they do.
Summary
· Medium: silkscreen print
· Layers: 4
· Paper: Somerset Velvet (300gsm)
· Frame size - H: 41cm W: 31.5cm
· Print edition size: 10
· Signed and numbered in pencil
This work is available on paper or mounted on hand-painted plywood, its edges painted with the same acrylics as the work on paper and framed in a 33mm-deep wooden frame, made by the artist and finished with Farrow & Ball estate emulsion. The result is a ready-to-hang work that combines sophistication and narrative depth.
