#22284 Lisa Milroy

The artwork presents a single object – a bouquet of flowers encased in transparent cellophane – rendered against a plain, neutral background. The composition is dominated by the form of the wrapping, which occupies nearly the entire frame and is depicted with broad, expressive brushstrokes. These strokes emphasize the folds and contours of the plastic, creating a sense of volume and movement despite its inherent rigidity.
The flowers themselves are visible through the cellophane, appearing as blurred shapes in shades of pink and red. Their details are obscured by the wrapping, suggesting a deliberate distancing from their natural beauty. The artist has employed a limited palette – primarily black, white, yellow, and touches of pink – to create a stark contrast between the transparent packaging and the background. This restricted color scheme contributes to a sense of detachment and artificiality.
The lighting is diffuse and even, minimizing harsh shadows and further flattening the image. This lack of dramatic light enhances the feeling of clinical observation rather than emotional engagement. The bouquet’s presentation – packaged and impersonal – hints at themes of commodification and the loss of authenticity. It suggests a world where natural beauty is mediated by commercial processes and rendered distant through layers of artificiality.
The works simplicity, combined with its focus on an everyday object, invites contemplation about consumerism, representation, and the ways in which we perceive and interact with the natural world. The absence of any human presence reinforces this sense of alienation and prompts questions regarding the role of objects in modern life.