Flourish

Product Description

11″ x 8″ without frame, 12.5″ x 10″ with frame, Oil & Paint Pen on Board

Exhibition at Flower Pepper Gallery: 3rd Year Anniversary Show from December 6th, 2014 to January 6th, 2015

Artist Biography:
Chelsea grew up in a small rural community in Australia, later moving to Melbourne to study painting and sculpture. Her love has always been for painting and she has had a varied creative career: working in a sculptor’s studio for a period of time, the art department in the film & television industry and in graphic design before having kids, which she now juggles whilst creating her art in the coastal town of Barwon Heads.

Artist Statement:
The flower is a continuation in my work that serves as a symbol of guilt for our indulgent and excessive lifestyles. I once thought of a vase of lush flowers as an unnecessary pleasure: no practical qualities and very short term pleasure. With our exposure to sensational and tragic daily news stories I think it’s quite normal to feel helpless and guilty for our privileged lives.

Ironically, because of this I think it’s therefore important to surround ourselves with beauty and all that inspires and motivates us, so that we can aspire to function at our best which has a positive consequence with how we communicate with and treat others. This piece focuses on the beauty of a single waratah flower. It’s head and collar of leaves are almost dragon like, rising proud and powerful.

The Latin word, effloresco (to bloom, to flourish), is juxtaposed with a contemporary acronym (FTW – for the win) intended to provide a bit of a tongue in cheek reminder that yes, it is important to aspire to be our best and it is equally important to keep a sense of humor and not take Oneself too seriously.

Artist Website: http://www.chelseagustafsson.com/

Additional Information