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FLORAL DISPLAY - THE STORY

Bursting from old cups, bowls and jugs Kate Black’s new collection of floral collages are a wonderful celebration of the seasons. 

References are cut and composed within these strikingly bold and vernacular works. From the work of the 18th century artist Mary Delany and her exquisite collaged flora on black backgrounds, to 19th century transferware and the alpine houses of great stately homes, the overall effect is as exciting as finding the first flower of spring. 

(Above: Paper Collages by Mary Delany 1700-1788 British Museum)

By cutting collage fragments from life Kate Black recreates the character and atmosphere of the plants and flowers she has been drawn to. A preservation technique that recalls the art of pressing flowers, Kate says that she is ‘interested in prolonging the life of the flower through collage techniques’. 

Many containers for these floral arrangements are 19th century transferware ceramics, a classic  combination that recalls country dressers, deep window sills and farmhouse tables. 

Often within these ceramics, patterns, rural motifs and vignettes combine to help form a narrative within the collages.

“I found that little stories of their own began to emerge within the composition. For example, in the Saxifraga in Cow Tankard collage (above), the cow looks as though it is sheltering beneath a big tree. In the other collages, I enjoy the positioning of the flowers in contrast to patterns and text, like bright fireworks in the sky.”

The results are these wonderfully explosive, wild displays of pansies, cowslips, daisies, Saxifraga, cyclamen and forget-me nots that appear to be growing or moving before our eyes. Bursting from hand painted watercolours of English pottery, there is an eccentricity and joy that is conjured within these works.