FLORAL ARIST HARRIET PARRY
Combining her love of flowers and nature, with her background in Fine Art - Harriet Parry produces playful pieces. Conceived; on the whole, as works of art. She works with flowers across various artistic disciplines. Paying close attention to detail, colour, texture and composition; with a touch of the unexpected!
Referencing both contemporary and historical art, fashion, and film, she seamlessly unites these with the world of floral design. This approach is particularly evident in her series “Flower Interpretations” Harriet’s designs ask people to pause. Study them. To share in the wonder of nature, and to ultimately create; just for a moment, a sense of stillness in our fast-paced world.
Greatest inspirations or influences?
My work is heavily influenced by contemporary and historical art, film, fashion and design. I come from a Fine Art background, so I combine this with my love of the natural world.
I can also be inspired by a moment in my day, a pattern, a time in history, a poem, music or even a scent! Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places…..
I also love collaborating with creatives from different disciplines. People are a very important source of inspiration.I always say flowers and people make the world go round. Working with others on projects often creates another dimension, pushes the work and keeps things fresh and exciting.
I would also say the biggest inspiration for me at the beginning of my floristry career was my Granny. She had such a beautiful garden and encouraged my love of flowers from a very early age.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
I approach my floral designs as if they are paintings. Thinking of texture, shape, colour and overall aesthetic.
I like to think that flowers are my medium - just as a painter uses their paint on a canvas.
I love to use unusual and surprising varieties of flowers and foliage, as well as props, fabrics and objects - Florals and other ingredients that may not always be put together.
This adds a really playful element to my work.
When creating, I look for unusual shapes, lines and patterns in my flowers and foliage. The way a petal may fall or a certain bend in the stem.
For me, it's all in the little details.
I look at how each stem and bloom hold themselves, and how they interact with the others - almost like they are characters in a scene!
Each individual stem plays an important part in representing and bringing together the overall aesthetic or impression of my designs.
I want my viewers to spot something new each time they look at my work, as well as having a deeper concept or a sense of something unexpected and uncanny.
I always like to lean in with what happens naturally for me in my designs. I suppose creating is like nature. It has no concerns about how it develops and grows or what it produces - it just is.
With that in mind, I try not to think too much about what work I create and just let it flow..
How does technology and innovation affect your creativity, and/or your work?
Technology is very important to me, as it allows me to keep experimenting, be innovative and express myself and my medium of flowers in new ways.
It allows me to bring a new perspective and a new visual offering to the viewers.
New ways of seeing; ignite the imagination and elevates further the ephemeral quality of nature and flowers.
I also love to create spaces and designs that are immersive. Often working with sound artists or visual artists to create another layer to my florals, sitting in unison. Uniting nature and technology.
By bringing technology and nature together in a piece, is also a nod to how we can use technology and innovation to help and support nature and our world in the future.
Upcoming projects we should know about?
I am in the process of gathering ideas for an abstract floral film, working alongside a sound artist to create a soundscape for a surreal and experimental piece of work. A flowery visual escape.
I would also love to bring out a book of my works and hold a multi-sensory exhibition of my floral photography alongside floral installations in situ. I am always looking for creatives to collaborate with so do get in touch if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear from you!
I also have some exciting collaborations and projects coming up, with some lovely brands, artists and floral designers - which you will have to keep a look out for....
What does wellbeing mean to you?
Wellbeing to me means balance. We too often live life out of balance, putting our energies into one area, and neglecting time for our other needs. Life is all about equilibrium for me.
You have many different cups that need to be filled in order to feel in tune with yourself, others and your surroundings. Wellbeing also means; giving and receiving love and allowing yourself grace in whatever you do each day, whether it's a small or bigger thing.
It also includes surrounding yourself with people who see, respect, and make you feel your authentic self and vice versa. This enables you to be able to give back and create a positive space for the people, places and things you encounter day to day.
We are all connected and need to support each other to create a sense of wellbeing, harmony and balance.
