The A-Z of Botanicals

My work is deeply inspired by the Victorian Language of Flowers, a symbolic practice that flourished during the nineteenth century. In this period, flowers were far more than decorative objects—they served as a coded form of communication. Carefully curated arrangements conveyed messages of love, friendship, secrecy, and even disapproval, with each bloom carrying its own nuanced meaning. These floral “conversations” allowed individuals to express thoughts and emotions that social conventions of the time often left unspoken.

Building on this rich tradition, I set out to create my own Victorian Alphabet: an A–Z of illustrated flowers, with each letter represented by a botanical subject selected for its historical symbolism. The project became an exploration not only of floral iconography but also of the ways in which art and design can revive and reinterpret cultural practices of the past. Each illustration was crafted using a combination of traditional media, allowing me to capture the delicacy, colour, and layered meanings associated with each flower.

This body of work has since become a cornerstone of my practice. Many of the illustrations have directly informed the development of my surface design projects, particularly my illustrated fabrics. By translating the language of flowers into textile design, I aim to create work that retains the storytelling qualities of its historical origins while also serving as a contemporary expression of pattern, ornament, and narrative design.