URBAN FLOWERS

   Exploring the imagery associated with “urban” and “flowers,” I aimed to create a play on words. These two imageries contrast each other, but there is a collision between the two. In urban landscapes, one will often find graffiti decorating building walls, adding color and life in the city. These pigments that add life to the landscape can be compared to flowers, which also add life to the landscape. 

   Playing on the idea of graffiti and flowers, I experimented with a dye technique known as flower pounding. Using fresh roses, I pounded the petals between paper repeatedly until the natural pigments were released, dying the paper and creating interesting textures. The natural dyes from this process represent the spray paint artists often use for their graffiti. After experimenting, I was able to create letter forms and shapes that were reminiscent of graffiti, while being natural and organic.