STORY BEHIND THE ART OF HILLARY PARKER

Weird, Wild, & Wonderful

Second New York Botanical Garden Triennial Exhibition

2014 - 2016

Coryanthes Orchid - Emerging Bloom

Coryanthes alborosea

I was first drawn to the Coryanthes Orchid because of its peculiar bloom, both intriguing and rather grotesque. Its pollination story and the symbiotic relationship with the male Euglossine bee, piqued my curiosity. This is a prime example of Nature engineering the fashion, form and function of the flower for the sole intention of attracting a pollinator. The composition of this painting captures that moment as the emerging bloom unfurls in preparation to fulfill its singular purpose.

I was familiar with this orchid, having done a solo exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens that featured their rare orchids from the Andes, called ORCHIDS: FASHION FORM AND FUNCTION. What I learned in my research was that these flowers are shaped for one purpose and one purpose only, pollination. The Coryanthes bloom seemed so peculiar, science-fiction like, and did not resemble what a typical flower looks like in any way. Its texture is rubbery and stiff, and seemed to have a secret story behind its fashion, form and function. When the Weird, Wild and Wonderful exhibition was announced, I knew right away that the Coryanthes would make a good subject.

The personality of this bloom offered many different compositional approaches, so narrowing that down was a fun challenge. I originally thought about a composition that showed three blooms from three different angles, to show its complete form, but it seemed too traditional an approach. After all, this exhibit is all about reaching beyond the norms of botanicals. Therefore, I had to expand my thinking as well and decided to create a composition that spoke about the sole purpose of this flower's existence of pollination. This composition captures that private, behind the scene emergence, in preparation of luring its pollinator. I love the problem solving challenges that come with every painting. Showing depth by placing the subject at a unique angle in my composition as well as painting various textures and translucency were all fun to push and explore.

This subject matter was not too far a stretch for me. I tend to shy away from the "pretty" plants and am more drawn to overlooked or unusual plants to share with viewers. It is always my intention to create a composition that draws people to my paintings and holds them for a few moments. In this one, I wanted the viewer to feel somewhat like a voyeur, just happening to walk by, catching that brief, private, critical moment as the flower emerges. 

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Read more about this artist's work: 15th Annual International