THE CIGARETTE BOXES

During the first two world wars, when supplies were low, soldiers would resort to pouring their heart out on any piece of paper they could find; so their sweethearts back home often received old cigarette boxes with love letters written on them.

Lovers would rush to their mailboxes, much like we now rush to our dm’s, in pursuit of a romantic thrill; a slice of soul wrapped up in a box. I like that idea of being addicted to someone, rather than something. While creating this artwork, I pictured glamorous, Hollywood femme fatales of the past, putting pure fire to their lips + breathing in their lost lover’s last words. I like to think they got buzzed on love.

In 2018, I spent many hours tucked away under my house in this dank little floral cave, working on this series. It became a bit of a floral graveyard in the end. Each piece took several days to complete due to the scale and complexity of the floral elements, which are designed to 'swirl' like smoke from a lover's lips. 

The original series was a smash-hit; it sold out in a day. I've only ever released a rare few one-offs since.