Marigolds have long been associated with transformation in India. With their vibrant oranges and yellows they bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine as they are offered with equal reverence to both during rituals like weddings, funerals, festivals and temples. Marigolds are both offerings and ornaments representing devotion, prosperity, new beginnings, and perhaps most of all love with their saffron yellows associated with the colour of Krishna’s attire.

In Vrindavan during Holi I was thrilled to witness the Krishna Lila performed by gopis who danced around Radha & Krishna deluging and almost drowning the pair with flower petals- predominantly different coloured marigolds. The idea of divine play so closely associated with Krishna is here transformed into a sensory experience with the orange/yellow colours reflecting joy, wonder and devotion… something I feel is so very much needed as an important counterpoint in today’s anxious, polarised world of AI, War and Climate breakdown.

I believe images can challenge us to behave in a different way. Here with the rhythmic patterning, sunshine colour and supercharged sizes I wanted to reach for and test the marigolds’ potential as an icon for joy.