The lotus flower grows in murky/muddy waters and blooms unstained at the break of dawn.
The lotus flower represents status, strength, purity, resilience, love, and rebirth. The water it grows in is interpreted as imperfections, attachments, or earthly desires. Much like us humans, we all strive to stand strong above our worries and fears, to feel what it means to be loved, and to try to endure and adapt in the face of life's challenges (resilience), just as the lotus stands in beauty above muddy waters.
Like the lotus flower, we must honor the darkest parts of ourselves and the most painful experiences of our lives (our background), because they are what allow us to give birth to our most beautiful selves (who and what we aspire to be).
"The Rose that Grew from Concrete" is a body of work inspired by the experiences of women in society. I believe this discussion goes beyond a geographical context and should not be limited to African women alone, but to women in general.
Originally created: 2022
Subject: Women
Material: Canvas
Medium: Oil
Styles: Realism and Expressionism