Empowering Others Through My Work

Artist Statement

A Message for my Daughter is a Collection of 30 images of 9- to 10-year-old girls

draped in flowers with a significant meaning meant just for them. They represent the vulnerability of young girls based on the messages their Mothers give them.

To create the work, I gathered participants from my community, asked their Mothers for five words that describe their daughter, then chose the flower that had a similar meaning based on the A Victorian Flower Dictionary, various websites, and the book, The Meaning of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

I bought and made fresh flower crowns and scarves for the girls to wear, along with vintage Victorian dresses from my collection.

These photographs represent the vulnerability of a young girl's spirit. I am seeking to spread a positive message to mothers and their daughters and share the beautiful spirit within them through flowers.

I gave them their own Exhibition when the project was complete.

Erika Masterson, Photographic Artist