Floristry and fine art — a practical and conceptual investigation

This dissertation investigates the concepts of both floristry and art and how they are interrelated, drawing on the author’s 15 years’ experience in the floristry industry. The research is based on both theory and personal practice. The most common theoretical concepts of both art and floristry were reviewed. Based on these theories a clearer definition of art appropriate to this research was developed and this is then elaborated further in discussion of the author’s own personal practice. Two experts, who work on the boundaries of both floristry and art, were interviewed. Willem de Rooij is a Dutch artist who regularly integrates flower compositions in his exhibitions. Rebecca Louise Law is a florist who developed herself as an installation artist working with natural materials. The interviews revealed that both artists are driven by respect for the natural materials they are working with. However, their views on flowers as material for their art are different. Willem de Rooij is motivated by the freshness of the flowers and regularly changes the flowers during the exhibition period. Rebecca Louise Law aims at making compositions which are long lasting. In this way she explores the long lasting potential of flowers going beyond their natural freshness. Finally the author’s personal art exhibition is discussed. The exhibition was based on the traditional East Asian painting of the so-called “Four Gentlemen”, a representation of the four seasons through four plants: plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo. Through the application of floristry skills, the theoretical concepts of East Asian art were widened, and more modern western art ideas and practices were incorporated. By taking a wider approach, both floristry and art can come closer to each other. By constantly evolving on the boundaries between both disciplines, floristry can continue to develop itself and explore the freedoms that art allows.