“Bougainvillea and Jasmine” is an artwork celebrating the lush flowers most commonly associated with the rich traditions and culture of India: jasmine, tuberose, bougainvillea and rose petals. Romantic jasmine and tuberose are used in garlands that are exchanged in Indian weddings. A flower which provides a majestic presence in ceremonies and festivals, Jasmine buds open in the evening and release their sweet fragrance throughout the night. We often see these gorgeous yet simple florals intertwined in ladies’ hair braids. Tuberose or “Rajnigandha” means the fragrance of the night. It is considered seductive in nature and often used to decorate honeymoon suites. Most of the world’s natural tuberose comes from the flower fields of Southern India.

While the tropical Bougainvillea does not originate from India, it is an abundant shrub that we see blooming in its jewel-like shades of pink, red, orange, yellow and, of course, white. I associate it with my childhood visiting my grandparents in their farm, their entry gate smothered by glorious hot pink bougainvillea. The shrub’s crepey, papery petals and leaves never failed to take my breath away. And finally the “gulab” or rose. India produces and consumes more roses than any other country in the world. In Indian mythology, it is believed that the flower played a role in creating mankind. Rose garlands are used as offerings to the gods, and again we see its petals used generously in wedding ceremonies to promote fertility, energy and auspiciousness.

Paper Italian, 400 pages, 200 sheets, Plain Ivory, minimum 90 gms, FSC-certified

Leather real calf leather sourced from Italy, The Netherlands, England and Scotland