Created by John Meade for the Southern Way McClelland Commission, Love flower is inspired by the practice of Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arrangement which endeavours to bring beauty, peace and calmness to a space within the chaos of life. In 2016, Meade – whose interest in floral art dates back to the 1980s – came across the work of Emily Karanikolopoulos, a teacher and practitioner of Sogetsu Ikebana, and the development of Love flower began.

The title is based on the Ancient Greek etymology of the agapanthus flower, derived from agap meaning ‘God’s love’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’. While used as an elixir in ancient times, today the plant is classed as a weed on the Mornington Peninsula where the sculpture is installed. The works thus questions the nature of aesthetics and our classification of nature.

Through sculpture, video, and installation, Melbourne-based artist John Meade draws relations between the metaphysical and surreal in the experience of contemporary life and culture. A refined and adventurous materiality defines his work, through sensuous forms and unexpected juxtapositions inflected by the personal, cosmic, erotic and uncanny.

Images: John Meade, Love flower 2019, Peninsula Link Freeway, Melbourne. Southern Way McClelland Commission. Photos Andrew Curtis.