Flower Power! New paintings for open calls!

Flower Power! New paintings for open calls!

"Flower power" emerged as a vibrant cultural and political movement in the 1960s, epitomizing peace, love, and harmony. It symbolized a rejection of violence and war, advocating for social change through nonviolent means. The term originated from the use of flowers as a form of protest against the Vietnam War, where protesters offered flowers to soldiers and police as a gesture of peace.
Beyond its origins, flower power became a broader emblem of countercultural resistance, promoting environmentalism, civil rights, and anti-authoritarianism. Its influence extended into art, fashion, and music, shaping the iconic imagery and ethos of the era.
Today, flower power continues to resonate as a symbol of hope, unity, and activism. It reminds us of the power of collective action and the importance of peaceful resistance in addressing societal injustices and fostering positive change. Whether expressed through art installations, community gardens, or grassroots movements, flower power endures as a timeless reminder of the enduring strength of love and compassion in shaping a better world.

​I drew and selected a picture about Flower Power, which is the title of this Mills ㅔPond Gallery's open call. Even if there is no political message, flowers have artistic and symbolic value and image in themselves. 

​The beauty of flowers lies in their exquisite diversity, delicate petals unfurling in an array of colors, shapes, and fragrances.  Flowers symbolize love, renewal, and the transient beauty of life itself. From the intricate patterns of a rose to the cheerful faces of daisies, they inspire wonder and joy, adorning gardens, weddings, and celebrations with their enchanting presence. In their fleeting existence, flowers teach us to cherish the present moment.

I focused on the energy these flowers gave me. And flowers definitely convey to us hope, excitement, and joy in life. Looking at flowers makes you feel relaxed, motivated, and makes you forget about your current difficulties and worries. Flowers are like a festival, like a party, and sometimes like a quiet lake. I think the energy these flowers give is like the human heart. Flowers excite our hearts and make us feel our heartbeat.
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Flowers are a collection of small heartbeats

18 x 24, Pattern tape and watercolor, 2024

​So, I drew the first of my paintings, 'Flowers are a collection of small heartbeats', based on the energy these flowers give us. This painting was created using patterned tape and watercolor paint on 18" x 24" paper. I am not limited by materials when it comes to drawing and expressing my inspiration. That's because when I start to limit things, I feel that the wings of creative inspiration are broken. Therefore, whenever a thought or image comes to mind, I look for materials that will best express that inspiration. Above all, the inspiration this time was pattern tape. This is because it is good for expressing the power of each small individual piece, like a small mosaic. Flowers are small mosaic-like individual pieces that come together to create one beauty. There is no better material than pattern tape to express these flowers.

Waltz of flowers

​Acrylic, 12 x 16, 2023

The heart of flowers

9 x 12, watercolor, 2023

​After preparing an open call and submitting the work, the results are sent to each artist. There are things I learn every time that happens. These works are curated and presented to the public in the form of group exhibitions.

I had very little time to draw and prepare this work. While preparing these works, I also had to prepare for national open calls. Personally, the classes I teach for students sometimes make me burn out. But there are fairies that I meet at times like this. My fairies give me strength like an energy drink when I am tired and having a hard time preparing my work. I am very grateful to them. And I promise to continue my work with even more strength. I was planning to cut down on my classes as work has been difficult recently. But I will have to be more patient when teaching my students. I need to work harder to create more classes of students on the waiting list. Looking back, I clearly need a lot of energy for myself. For the time being, I plan to supplement this energy through drawing.