art by Kai [ka-eh | k-ay]

resilience blooms

2024

acrylic on canvas

In Private Collection

Resilience Blooms is a study in “floral coding”; a method of communication used throughout history. This work specifically reclaims floral terms from the 1930s and beyond, such as “pansy,” “buttercup,” and “daisy,” which were weaponized as slurs to marginalize “unmanly men” or people with queer identities.

By centering these specific flowers, the painting transforms symbols of exclusion into a vibrant statement of belonging and survival. It is also an exploration of subtle queer messaging: to the casual observer, it is a traditional floral arrangement; to those who know the history, it is a celebration of identity.

Marking a significant shift in practice, this piece represents my first venture into acrylic paints. Moving away from the fluidity of watercolor allowed for the creation of a high-contrast, bold composition.

The creative process for this work is preserved in a companion sketchbook, documenting the transition from concept to completion.

on a black background there is a blue pansy in the middle, with two white daisies with yellow centers, and sprigs of buttercups.coiled notebook with sketch (described below) to the left and
canvas painting (described to left) to the right side
a sketch of the image to the right, three watercolor swatches for
colors, and handwritten text describing thoughts for creation including "1930s, pansy craze | resulting from pansy/buttercup/daisy's as terms
for "unmanly men" and colors "blue / indigo", "yellow", "white with
yellow center", "black / gold background would be dope", and "may be
a better acrylic design"