From the 17th-century Dutch masters who immortalised tulips in their still-life paintings to Jeff Koons’ contemporary sculpture “Bouquet,” tulips have long captivated Western artists, serving as a creative inspiration across centuries. These flowers, emblematic of both beauty and transience, have been depicted in various forms, reflecting the cultural significance they hold in Western art.
Shakera Tayub, the founder of the luxury fashion brand Shaku, offers a modern interpretation of this tradition in her artwork “Tulips Fantasy.” This piece, likely inspired by the Hearts Delight Kaufmanniana tulips with their distinctive carmine red-tipped edges, showcases a vibrant palette that draws from the rich, saturated hues characteristic of Indian art. The fusion of Eastern and Western influences in Tayub’s work is evident, as she reimagines a flower traditionally associated with Western art through the lens of her Indian heritage.
‘Tulips Fantasy’ Fine Art Print
In “Tulips Fantasy,” the tulips appear almost woven together, a nod to Tayub’s expertise in textile design. This weaving motif not only reflects her craft in creating wearable art but also evokes the historical association of weaving and floral painting with femininity—both activities that have traditionally been linked to women. The design’s fluid and sinuous shapes evoke the grace and movement of a dance, imbuing the image with a lively and dynamic quality.
The colours are vaguely reminiscent of the Indian flag, with red replacing saffron, maybe as a reference to the Dutch flag, and the historical and cultural significance of tulips in the Netherlands. Thus the image is both a reflection upon Indian identity and its life, as well as the spread of the Asian diaspora throughout the Western world.
The use of gouache as a medium gives a glorious texture to the image.
Tulip taxonomy and nomenclature are complex due to the extensive hybridisation and the rich history of cultivation that tulips have undergone over centuries. The genus Tulipa, belonging to the Liliaceae family, encompasses around 96 species, but the vast majority of the tulips seen today are the result of intricate breeding programs. These hybrids are categorised into numerous groups based on characteristics like flower shape, blooming time, and origin. For instance, the Darwin Hybrid Group is known for its large, brightly coloured flowers and strong stems, while the Kaufmanniana Group is recognised for its early blooming and distinctive flower shapes that open flat in sunlight.