The formalization of flora throughout artistic history highlights its sacred, potent, divine qualities and historical resonance. This is relevant when considering the hyper-intelligence, feminine and wondrous qualities to nature I translate in my practice. Such formalisation of flora is adopted in Dutch 16th and 17th century painting, whereby the undeniably exotic, unusual, luxurious quality of flowers is emphasised to emulate opulence and abundance.

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Introduced to the Netherlands from Turkey in the late 16th century, tulips were avidly collected and studied by botanists, connoisseurs, artists, and intellectuals. They rapidly became a coveted luxury item. This luscious, glossy, deep, darkened yet sensual quality to Dutch paintings is something I wish to emulate in my works, employing a richness and abundance of colour.