[...] Welcoming the flowers:
daffodils
baptized in butter,
lilacs lasciviously licking the air,
necklaces of wisteria
bowing to magnolia mamas,
the cherry blossoms are razor blades,
the snow dahlias are sharp as cat piss,
the lilies of the valley are
lilies of fur,
lilies of feather,
lilies of fin,
lilies of skin,
the almost Miss America rose,
the orchids are fat licking tongues,
and they all smell so good
and I am sucked into their meaty earthy goodness. [...]
Created in the late 2000s, the series of works titled "Perfect Flowers" was inspired by Giorno's 2004 poem "Welcoming the Flowers" and a corresponding set of prints. Giorno physically transformed poetic verses such as "daffodils / baptized in butter," "poppies packed with narcotic treats," and "the cherry blossoms are razor blades" into poetic paintings.
The Perfect Flowers paintings not only continue the Western tradition of the "Still Life" but also draw from the Chinese genre of "Flowers & Birds" painting and from Japanese haikus. Giorno's works eschew figuration, dedicating the entire space of the canvas to a few words and their allusive meanings. The artist's writings are elevated and amplified by luminous, shiny, and shimmering colored surfaces. These concise flower poems transcend literal analysis and contemplate the cycles and impermanence of life - birth, death, and reincarnation.
Not only do Giorno's works point to the power of words but they also evoke the differences between a written and a spoken word. A life-long performer, Giorno would use the intonations of his voice to add layers of depth and complexity to his words, and these painted words carry the visual rhythms and tones of a voice.
The Perfect Flowers paintings are also related to Giorno’s interest in Buddhist spirituality. In the Buddhist context, flowers are often used as votive offerings to those who have attained enlightenment, symbolizing the beauty, purity, and harmony of the path to enlightenment itself. However, Giorno’s artistic interpretation blends this Buddhist "purity" with an American pop/punk sensibility, characterized by vibrant and bold colors and by words that refers to his contemporary context.
In this way, John Giorno's works become a celebration of the duality of human existence, where language and form merge into a kaleidoscope of colors and meanings. They invite viewers to reflect on the transient nature of life, offering a unique perspective on the intersections between spirituality, pop culture, and the essence of art.
