An anthology is a published collection of poems or other pieces of writing. I’m no poet, so my current project Anthology is closer to the word’s Greek origin: anthologia; which means a garland or the gathering of flowers. Anthology is a collection of my photography work around nature and flower culture that began in United Kingdom.
I frame this project within the Eastern and Buddhist mindfulness philosophy, as well as pagan British traditions, where I observed the solstice rituals.
The project started in London, my home for almost three decades, as a documentation on urban nature and flower gardens in the parks along Thames path. In 2018, I participated in River to River, Coast to Coast artist presentation in London, focusing on ocean plastics and sustainability issues. Then I began to explore flower photography in various recycled containers.
The project intensified during Covid19 pandemic lockdown and was distilled into the Homegrown Series. Widespread global fatalities and losing some of my friends and family members turned the project into a spiritual quest. I worked within the constraint of my own homegrown flowers throughout the period of grief, and introduced the concept of mindfulness that I learned from meditation practices and ikebana.
More importantly, I want the project to be about victory over dark times and happiness. The flowers are the metaphor for prayers and the recycled containers are the second life we give to ourselves to start over again.
Writings and photobooks on mindfulness: After The Rain
Zarina Holmes 