Nosegay, Tussie-Mussies or Posies
December 9 – December 31, 2016Opening reception Friday December 9 from 7-10pm
Essex Flowers is pleased to present “Nosegays, Tussie-Mussies or Posies”, a group show comprised of our co-organizers : Tisch Abelow, Justin Berry, Patrick Brennan, Melissa Brown, Jesse Hamerman, Tatiana Kronberg, Sara Murphy, R. Blair Sullivan, Jeffrey Tranchell and Nickolaus Typaldos.
The language of flowers, or floriography, is a coded system used to communicate when words aren't sufficient or appropriate. In Victorian times, names like Nosegay, Tussie-Mussie, or Posy described small bouquets of flowers that carried coded messages, usually conveying sentiments that would be seen as improper to declare outright. These seemingly innocuous floral offerings were a form of communication by hidden means. As Essex Flowers is comprised of individuals with disparate experience and artistic viewpoints, this show is meant to convey a commonality that what words alone cannot.
We conceived this show to celebrate who we are in this current moment and to re-focus on a hopeful start to the coming new year. In this post-election haze we, like so many, we are exploring strategies of resistance and are committed to the crucial business of finding ways of supporting and protecting our neighbors and ourselves. There are no words to adequately express the loss of life and creativity in the aftermath of the tragic fire at the Ghost Ship artist collective in Oakland, CA. As fellow artists and kindred spirits, our hearts go out to the friends and families of those we have lost.
In an effort to help the victims and their families, Essex Flowers will donate 30% of sales of this show to the fundraiser initiated by The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts.
