Poppy Collection

Poppies are actually weeds that grow world wide in all climates. They are resilient.  Because of their predominant color, and since they flower around the end of May they were associated with remembrance and respect for the dead, especially soldiers who died in World War 1. The poem "In Flander's Field" by John McCrae immortalizes the poppy as a symbol for Memorial Day. It is often worn by members of the British royal family.

But for women, the poppy has come to symbolize independence, strength, a free spirit and a sense of being carefree. Because of poppies' use in medicine and spirituality, some people  wear  poppies to commemorate fertility, prosperity and eternal beauty or peace. Because of the narcotic quality of some poppies they are associated with rest, sleep and  relief from grief.

Fascinated by the themes in several Gauguin paintings  such as "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" and "Day of the Gods" that feature woman at many ages, I endeavor to simultaneously show the girl, the woman and the crone in these poppy torques.  They explore the stages of a woman in poppy form through the bud, the flower, and the seed pod suggesting the next generation  to emerge: a sense of rebirth.