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Flowers, 1985 - RP Direct Print, dimensions variable
Nobuyoshi Araki's tight focus on the petals makes the flower more reminiscent of the genital imagery of say, Georgia O'Keefe. At the bottom of this close-up of a pink Cymbidium orchid is a fragile sprig of the popular bouquet filler Gypsophila. Although orchids and bridal bouquets carry suggestions of innocence and femininity, but for Araki, female eroticism is a key part of his life's work. But his flower photographs also contain a more spiritual element. The erotic potential of flowers is nothing new in art. Equally, the tenet of Taoist and Zen Buddhist belief reflects the idea that an object's inherent ageing must be understood in order to appreciate its beauty.
Picture keywords: but for Araki, female eroticism is a key part of his life's work. But his flower photographs also contain a more spiritual element. The erotic potential of flowers is nothing new in art. The tenet of Taoist and Zen Buddhist belief reflects the idea that an object's inherent ageing must be understood in order to appreciate its beauty. Araki's image already implies that the flower's beauty is transient and will fade. At the bottom of this close-up of a pink Cymbidium orchid is a fragile sprig of the popular bouquet filler Gypsophila. Although orchids and bridal bouquets carry suggestions of innocence and femininity, Georgia O'Keefe, Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki's tight focus on the petals makes the flower more reminiscent of the genital imagery of say, this makes the flower a worthy subject for a botanical still life.