Dominic Harris' Bloomed
Continuing with recreating the natural world through digital means, Harris presents his new series Bloomed. A study of twenty plants where the artworks allow themselves to be subtly influenced by onlookers. While some of Harris’s other artworks inspire direct interaction Bloomed plays on the nature of a classical still life, an artwork often associated with quiet room dressing, with small movements and changes as the people present pass by. The 20 plants have been selected by the artist for their beauty, structure and unique features.
Edelweiss
As a small alpine perennial composite herb, it is also known as a ‘mountian’ flower. Belonging to the daisy and sunflower family, it is found in central and southeast Europe. It is dense woolly white hair is an adaption to high altitudes, protecting the plant from cold and exposed conditions.
Dandelion
The familiar dandelion is home to all parts of the northern hemisphere. A temperate zone, it finds its place in pastures, meadows and farmland. Found in bloom in the early summer months the dandelion stems are capped by bright yellow flowers and its grooved leaves funnel rain water to its root.
Foxglove
Tall and stately, the foxglove can be appreciated for its vertical cluster of tubular shaped blooms. A favourite flower of the honey-bee, its eye-catching variations in colours include pink, red, purple, white and yellow. A common wild flower of Great Brittain, it growns freely in woods and countryside lanes.
Lily
The Lily or Lilium is a sought after flower of beauty and strength. valued for their large, very showy and fragrant qualities the six petals begin as a humble bulb and open into a trumpet shaped flower, signifying rebirth and purity. Native across the world they hold importance in dozens of cultures.
Orchid
Widespread and diverse, orchids grow naturally across the world. A favourite amougst horticulturalists each flower is bilateral symmetric, where each half petal is the mirror of the other. The unique bond between orchids’ feminine petals and insects is evident with their higher pollination count.
Peony
Among the most popular in gardens, the bloom of the peony is lush and romantic. Often double flowered, their ornamental qualities hold a lot of tradition. From the imperial gardens of China to the temples of Japan and later growns in European botanical gardens for their medical value, they are known to thrive for 100 years.
Poppy
Like no other flower, the poppy has played an unique role in religion, mythology, politics and medicine. Growing best in a natural environment, scarlet poppies are in full bloom in late spring. One of the first wildflowers to colonise cornfields, it pollinated the battle zones of the First World War and has since become the flower of Remembrance.
Sunflower
Sunflowers have extremely large flower heads made up of big yellow petals and a black central part that is made up of thousands of tiny florets. These later become seeds set in a beautiful spiral pattern. Originating in the Americas, for years it was grown as a source of food and in line with it’s natural habitat, it requires hot and dry conditions in order to be able to thrive.
Tulip
A sign of spring, the tulip is brightly coloured and produces a cup shaped blossom that subtly shows off the inside of the petals. Originally cultivated in the 13th century they were introduced to the Dutch by Turkish traders. Growing in value the bulbs were traded for currency. A classic flower with a complex history, the tulip plays an important role in many gardens.
Rose
Enjoying the honour of being the most popular flower in the world, the rose is a symbol of love and beauty. Originally wild and cultivated globally there are over 100 species. Each colour rose symbolises a certain value and their populair scents come from tiny perfume glands on the petals. A true beauty.
Wisteria
The wisteria is a flowering plant that derives from the pea family. It has hanging clusters of fragrant flowers that usually come in shades of lilac and pale blue. Wisteria vines can be seen climbing and twining their stems around any available support and can climb as high as 20 metres! The flowers are indigenous to eatern Asia and North America.
Anemone
Growing wild across Europe, North America and Japan, the anemone is a small, widely coloured genus of flowers with a fine wildflower beauty and delicately complex rosette centre. In Greek classical mythology anemones sprung from the tears of Aphrodite as she wept over the grave of her lover, Adonis.
Crocus
A native of Southern Europe and Asia, the crocus is a member of the iris family and is characterised by its solitary long-tubed flowers and slender linear leaves. Cultivated since 500 BC, this species of flower is used for medicines, perfumes, dyes and as a luxury spice (saffron is derived from the dried stigmas of the purple-flowered crocus and is regarded the most expensive spice in the world).
Daffodil
Native to western Europe, northern parts of Africa and western Asia, the daffodil, or “narcissus” is a flower characterised by the familiar yellow trumpet-shaped blooms. Symbolising rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring, with lore connecting the flower to not only a sign of winter’s end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity found throughout the world.
Ranunculus
Commonly known as the “buttercup”, the ranunculus is a large genus of flower that contains over 600 varieties. The most common species, the Persian ranunculus, features layers of paper-thin petals varying in colour from soft pinks, whites and yellows, to fiery oranges and deep reds. The name ranunculus is the product of the two Latin words, rana meaning “frog” and unculus meaning “little”. It was assumed this name was fitting as the flowers grew along riverbeds and were as prevalent as frogs in the spring time.
Agapanthus
The agapanthus, also known as the “Lily of the Nile” or “African Lily”, blooms in round clusters of blue, white or indigo flowers. Their blossoms are funnel shaped with elegant lilac pollen colouring the anthers. In traditional medicine, the agapanthus is believed to possess both medicinal and magical powers. It is the plant of fertility and pregnancy and is used in various prenatal medicines in addition to being worn by women as a charm to bring strong, healthy babies.
Dahlia
Considered one of the most spectacular garden flowers, dahlias consist of numerous delicate petals that encircle a central yellow core known as the capitulum or floral head. Native to Mexico, where they have been grown for centuries, dahlias are found in various shades of white, yellow, orange, red, pink and purple.
Allium
Commonly known as the “Flowering Onion”, allium is a plant with clusters of star-shaped flowers found in colours of purple, pink, green and white. Whilst predominantly located in the Northern Hemisphere, these plants are found over a vast area throughout the world due to their adaptability to different types of growing conditions. The plant emerges from a single bulb, which supports the reasoning behind allium standing for unity and representing patience and humility.
Camellia
A symbol of purity, luxury, and of course, refinement, the white camellia is a flower admired the world over. A source of elegant inspiration, the camellia's delicate beauty has been a muse for writers, fashion designers, artists, and purveyors of beauty. Representing adoration and devotion, the flower's perfection is one that transcends time, with various cultures throughout the ages recognising the blossom for it's exquisiteness. These evergreen shrubs produce an abundance of captivating flowers ranging from white, yellow and pink to reds and purples, each with a striking and fashionable bloom.
Hydrangea
With a genius of approximately 100 species of flowering plants which are native to southern and eastern Asia and north and south America, hydrangeas are a popular flowering shrub found in many gardens throughout the world. Carried in bunches at the ends of the stems, the hydrangea’s flowers are relatively small, however their display of colour is enhanced by a ring of modified bracts around each bloom.
