Soldier
Green Hydrangea Flowers
Tess Finnegan
2022 installation
Outside - Garden
The Inspiration
Copied from an older original, this British painted lead statue of a Roman soldier was a popular garden ornament in the late 19th century. The statue is mounted on a carved limestone pedestal and inset in a niche on the west terrace of the Anderson’s garden.
Artist/Creator: British
Date of Creation: Late 19th century
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: In the back garden of the Anderson House is a standing sculpture of a Roman soldier. For purposes of this exhibit, we will assume the Roman soldier has returned triumphant from a successful campaign abroad and has merited a triumphal procession. During a triumphal procession, a Roman general would have worn a crown of laurel (suggested here by green ruscus), and a magnificent purple toga edged in gold embroidery (reimagined as undulating rows of purple dyed asparagus fern bordered with dyed gold ruscus) as he rode his chariot, arm outstretched in victory. The victorious Roman soldier was sometimes depicted with his face painted red like the Romans' highest god, Jupiter (suggested here by red spider germini with slashed petals suggesting the toll of war). Rows of palm fronds form the backdrop of the floral installation, calling to mind the palm fronds that would have been scattered at the soldiers' feet during such a military-political parade. The irony here is this: as the days progress during ART IN BLOOM, as the floral experiences Washington DC's hot June temperatures, and as the color fades and the stems droop, we are of course reminded that war is brutal and devastating and that there is no real triumph in a sustained campaign of slaughter abroad.
THE DESIGNER
Tess Finnegan
Green Hydrangea Flowers
A former federal trial attorney, Tess knew after a stint in Paris in 2003 that she needed more color, more love, and more joy in her life.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Sarandon Smith
Sarandon Smith is a fine artist and photographer in Maryland serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and NOVA areas. Her background includes a formal art education as well as hands on experience working under talented photographers, artists, and designers. Her first love in art was painting and that affection has carried over into her approach to photography. The same principles of design that are used when you put a brush to canvas are the principles that make a photo into a piece of art.
Sarandon's degree in fine arts gave her a framework that is an important part of how she approaches the visual aspect of her work. Using dynamic light to enhance an image, or composition to emphasize the power of an emotional moment helps create wedding galleries for her clients that are strikingly beautiful and honest at the same time.
