Cattleya Orchid1

PU paints on Brass

48"x48"x15"depth

2020

This was a specially commissioned work for fashion design duo Shivan and Naresh's Mumbai flagship store.

Far from the 'Orchid-delirium' of the Victorian era, that mirrored the Dutch obsession with tulips, for possession and status, this work hopes to draw the viewer into not only an appreciation of the beauty of nature, but also to engage the viewer at a deeper level of the flower’s fragility in the modern world. Deforestation has pushed several species to the brink of extinction. The artist strives to highlight to the viewer that we all are capable of acting to save the rich diversity of our planet.

Cattleya Orchids are native to the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica. Whether it is about the environmental impact of commercially grown ornamental flowers in Africa, Latin America and Asia, that are putting a huge strain on water resources, carbon emissions and release of toxic pesticides; or those growing naturally in forests and meadows, that face issues of shrinking space and environmental degradation, extinction concerns are everybody's concern.