28. Floramorphosis

Abstract

Floramorphosisis inspired by the feminine experience. Women are programmed from a young age to fixate on their appearance. Their perception of themselves becomes skewed growing up in this haze of beauty propaganda. Further inspiration came in the form of a flower. I created the term “floramorphosis” to refer to the life cycle of a flower, the transformation from a single seed into a beautiful flower. This is significant because the idea of transformation is central to this artwork.

I have seen many friends who struggle with body image and I wanted to create an artwork that addresses the subject. Through consultation with female friends and family, I was able to draw from their stories and represent their experiences.

I have always enjoyed working with found objects, and this artwork is loosely based off of Leo Sewell’s Female Torso. Through the process of reimagining and repurposing objects, I embed them with new meaning, reinforcing the overall idea of transformation. This sculpture is also inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s series of floral works.

The faceless mannequin forms representing the reflection of any and all women are plastic and cold emphasizing the artificiality of the beauty industry. The empty mirror frame shows the reflection of the woman as she blooms from foliage to flower. The foliage is how she sees herself, whereas the flowers are how the world sees her. I created this artwork because I feel that every woman can blossom in her own way and see her beauty, inside and out.