Jasmine De La Cruz
Remembrances, 2021
Native to Peru is the Cattleya Maxima. An orchid flower with soft coloring and uniquely shaped petals that outstretch in every direction.
In Mexico, the Cuitlauzina Pulchella orchid, persists through intense weathering—its white buds sit on tall stalks and bask in the humidity.
Both of these Orchid species are interpreted here in paint. Placed in an imagined landscape where they can both coexist and interact. This series follows their progression in growth.
Held dearly by my mom, orchids have remained constantly present in my home for the last couple of years. They’ve managed to be placed in every other room in my home. Yet, my awareness of them has never been as significant as it is now. As I paint these images in my living room, sitting on the ground, with the sounds of my family’s everyday routines occurring around me, I’m filled with a plethora of emotions and remembrances. Some sentiments unnameable but others distinctly alluding towards a sense of relief. A sense of finally feeling like I’ve reached a satisfying end. These orchids too have reached their end, but will eventually become ready to bloom again the following year for a new beginning.
Here, these flowers grow and bask. Painted in efforts to bear witness to their great shape and proud form. Odd, almost alien looking when glanced at, these succulent-like plants are particularly chosen from the large orchid family for their relation to my mom and dad who both, a long time ago, immigrated to the U.S from Mexico and Peru.
