Core Art Space

May 12th – May 28th, 2023

Floral imagery has a long history beginning with the Dutch Master’s realistic still lifes, then onto Monet’s light filled water lilies. In contemporary art there’s Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits with flowers, Georgia O’Keefe’s enlarged sensual closeups and Joan Mitchell’s large abstract expressionist florals.

The term Flower Power originated in the 60s where flowers were used to symbolize the passive resistance movement to war. Flowers have long symbolized romance even having its own language and also represents femininity, growth and lushness.

Where do you fit in this spectrum?  Whether realistic, expressionistic, impressionistic, symbolistic, abstract or political and conceptual…. Let’s explore what current floral imagery means to you. All mediums/disciplines welcome but for video.

Juror, Michael Paglia, an art and architecture critic, has written a column for Westword, Denver's alternative weekly, since 1995. He teaches in the art history department at the University of Colorado at Denver and has authored several books and monographs. He also works on arts programming for Denver's local PBS station.

Poly Xanthous, Oil on Birch Panel, 48 x 41 inches