Since ancient times, we have used chamomile to soothe fevers, marigolds to dye fabrics, and lavender to calm the mind. Artists have also woven flowers into their work to express deeper meanings — from Georgia O’Keeffe’s magnified floral close-ups to Andy Warhol’s iconic flower prints. Opening in March at the Asheville Art Museum, Flora Symbolica: The Art of Flowers will explore the symbolism of flowers in art, taking a closer look at how creatives of the 20th and 21st centuries harnessed the rich cultural and emotional power of vibrant blooms. “Fossilized flowers have been found at early human burial sites, and flora is used in medicines and remedies,” the museum shares in a press release. “Flowers have also evolved into symbols of love, purity, and rebirth, alongside their enduring role as objects of beauty and ornamentation.” Central to the show will be the work of photographer and artist Edward Steichen, who often incorporated botanical symbolism into his portraits. “Building on Steichen’s exploration of flowers as powerful personal and social emblems, this exhibition traces the many ways that flora is rooted in American art and culture,” the museum notes.
Flora Symbolica: The Art of Flowers: March 6-July 28
Asheville Art Museum / 2 South Pack Square, Asheville / ashevilleart.org