Magnolia grandiflora, 23', N14

Magnolia grandiflora

23’ Collection

Inês M. de Freitas's "Magnolia Project" unveils the intrinsic beauty and organic details of magnolia fruits through a black-and-white series. Captured in 2018, the photographs abstract the iconic symbol of the magnolia, offering a fresh perspective that challenges traditional perceptions. Inspired by artists like Robert Mapplethorpe and Georgia O'Keeffe, Inês emphasizes shapes and textures, allowing viewers to rediscover the sensuality and complexity of nature on an intimate and contemplative level.
The artist uses her camera to reveal hidden details, transforming the familiar into something surprisingly new. Each image invites the viewer to look beyond the surface, exploring the interplay of light and shadow, form and void. The project is not just a visual documentation but a poetic meditation on the essence of nature. Inês M. de Freitas reminds us that by changing our perspective, we can find new beauty and meaning in our everyday surroundings.

Artist's Message

The inspiration for this work came from an exercise during my degree, which required the collection of 100 identical objects. Being very connected to nature, I decided to explore a theme close to my personal context. In autumn, I found cones on my way to school and, in spring, I discovered they were magnolia fruits, a plant I had always admired. This discovery revealed a blind spot in my knowledge and sparked my interest in the transformation of the cones.
I appreciated the study for the appearance of the cones and their various phases of transformation. Initially green and closed, they turn brown and begin to open, revealing seeds held by threads, which reminded me of my childhood when my baby teeth were about to fall out. The ambiguity of the forms, both erotic and suggestive, motivated me to photograph them repeatedly. By zooming in and observing the details, I noticed the abstraction and new significance of the images, both in color and black and white.

ULTRASONIC 28-105mm MACRO 0.5m/1.6ft

Giclée Ilford Cotton Textured

Photographie Fine Art