Artist Statement:

My work investigates connections between particular flowers, symbolism and folklore. The body of work from which these pieces of work are taken developed from research into the folklore, medicinal uses and iconology of different plant species and in particular the poppy with its powerful social resonance; both symbolic and medicinal. Examination of the structure, colouring and life cycle of flowers revealed the existence of ultra violet patterns visible only to those insect pollinators whose vision extends into the ultra violet area of the spectrum and the use of ultra violet paint to reveal and hide, aims to mimic the flowers hidden visual signals or secret messages, encoding another layer of meaning into what can be seen under normal light conditions; much of my work relies on illumination by blacklight to show hidden messages.

Carole King

Surrey Institute of Art and Design. University College: BA (Hons) Fine Art