Flowers have their own kind of sex appeal, an allure that is not only seen but felt. For centuries, they have been used in art—both photography and painting—as symbols of desire, passion, and sexual metaphor. The delicate petals, the hidden pistils, and the curves of a flower can evoke a sense of sensuality, and artists have often used these natural forms to explore deeper, sometimes unspoken, desires.
Among those who have most powerfully tapped into this theme is Georgia O’Keeffe, a groundbreaking artist who has inspired me greatly in this project. O’Keeffe’s close-up, abstract depictions of flowers—especially her magnified views of pistils and petals—turned these simple, natural forms into almost erotic objects of study. She transformed what is typically seen as delicate and innocent into an exploration of desire and sensuality. For her, the flower was not merely a plant; it was a canvas for eroticism, vulnerability, and power. Her work was a personal statement, a way of exploring the nature of femininity, sexuality, and self-expression.
In my own work, I have sought to do something similar, using the lens of formalism as a reference. I have played with shapes, lines, and colors to explore the sensuality of an innocent flower. I sought to stretch the boundaries of what we perceive as delicate or pure, pushing the notion that sensuality is hidden in what appears innocent. A flower is not just a flower. It has layers, hidden meanings, and untold stories.
Take the lily, for instance. It is a symbol of purity and beauty, often associated with the Virgin Mary in religious iconography. It embodies innocence—refined, angelic beauty that has stood the test of time. Yet, beneath this purity, it also reproduces sexually, reminding us of the inherent contradiction in life itself. The very symbol of innocence is tied to the processes of creation, reproduction, and sexuality. Oh, the irony of it all.
But my project goes beyond merely exploring sexual metaphors. It is an expression of who I am. For years, I have been described as a “delicate” person, someone whose presence is often understated but whose impact is quietly profound. And in creating this project, I have let the flower become a kind of alter ego—a projection of myself. Through the flower, I have been able to explore my own complexities, contradictions, and beauty.
It all started with a desire to step outside my comfort zone. I wanted to see myself differently, to confront parts of me that I had long been afraid to face. Being the model in my own work was a way of reclaiming my own image, embracing both my flaws and my strength. I wanted to make peace with my insecurities and find comfort in my own skin. It was a journey toward self-acceptance and self-love. And, maybe, see what others see in me, that refined beauty of a lily.
In doing so, I also realized something deeply profound—something I hadn’t expected. There is an incredible similarity between people and flowers. We are born, we grow, and there comes a moment in our lives when we, too, must show our petals, our true selves, to the world. The act of blooming is both a release and a declaration of self. It is the moment when we allow our beauty to shine, when we embrace the complexities that make us who we are, and when we find love not in spite of our flaws but because of them.
I have come to understand that the beauty of a person, much like a flower, cannot be immediately seen. It’s not something that can be easily understood or defined by others with just a glance. True beauty takes time. It requires patience, growth, and a willingness to bloom in our own time. Only when we are ready, when we can fully show ourselves to the world, can we experience the love that is waiting for us. It is in that moment of blooming—of truly revealing ourselves—that we can appreciate our essence and allow others to do the same.
Through this project, I’ve not only learned about the sensuality and symbolism of flowers, but I’ve also come to a deeper understanding of my own journey and the beauty that lies in embracing who we truly are. Like flowers, we each have our own time to blossom, and it is in that moment of blooming that we find both our power and our peace.
