Kiku

Flowers are a prominent motif in Warhol’s work. The artist created Flowers for his first exhibition at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York in 1964. He filled the entire gallery with the same image of a hibiscus flower screen printed onto canvas in different colour variations and with slight formal differences. One wall of the gallery displayed 28 canvas paintings featuring a repeated image of four flowers. Larger paintings with only two flowers were also exhibited. These early works were based on a photograph Warhol found in a 1964 issue of Modern Photography, taken by photographer Patricia Caulfield. The artist chose a traditional subject matter, often found in still life or landscape painting, and reimagined it by applying his uniquely Warholian treatment.

With Kiku, Warhol produced a stunning set of images that are striking in their elegance. Characterised by crisp vivid colour and layered forms, the portfolio retains its dynamism and impact even 35 years after its creation. Combining both abstraction and a naturalism that describes the flower’s form, the Kiku series is a poetic representation of a flower, layered with symbolic meaning. As well as representing longevity, rejuvenation and the autumn season, the chrysanthemum is the traditional symbol of the Japanese Emperor or Imperial House and can be found on the Japanese passport.

This body of work demonstrates the global influence of Warhol and his popularity with Japanese collectors. In Kiku the artist appealed to his audience with his subject matter. These bold yet delicate images are luminescent examples of his skill as a printmaker and colourist. Kiku also beautifully demonstrates Warhol’s ability to observe and represent the world around him in new and exciting ways. He once remarked, “I always notice flowers.”

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