The Seeds
Cotton and rayon embroidery floss, organza fabric, jewelry wire constructed form, purchased vase.
12″ x 7″ x 6″
2020
This piece is inspired by my childhood memories of eating Peacock Flower seedpods in my grandparent’s backyard at family gatherings for ritual offerings to the land. I remember that the flowers were always picked from my grandparent’s yard, arranged in a small vase, and placed on the offering table. Though the seedpods aren’t tasty, the memories are sweet because of their connection to my family relationships with cousins and grandparents. I created the piece from memories of the Peacock Flower, rather than direct observation of botanical drawings or photographs. I did this to explore how details of memories fade with time, but the experience of them is true and present. The detached flower represents relationships as we grow older and experience loss.
I used wire to construct the form, attached the shaped-wire onto organza fabric with a buttonhole stitch, then hand-embroidered. Once embroidered, each petal was cut out, assembled, and arranged in a purchased vase.
