Patterns of Diplomacy / The Politics of Flowers in Non-Aligned Encounters
Collage, Photography, Tapestry, 2023-2024
In Patterns of Diplomacy, I explore the symbolic role of flowers within the visual and political theatre of international diplomacy. This research-based project draws upon materials from my family library—specifically archival books documenting Tito’s global travels and meetings with leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement. By closely examining photographs, broadcasts, and printed records, I trace the recurring presence of floral arrangements in state visits, banquets, and official encounters. Flowers, often overlooked, become silent but potent markers of cultural exchange, national identity, and soft power. Through a process of visual excavation and reinterpretation, Patterns of Diplomacy reflects on how these botanical gestures functioned as subtle instruments of political messaging and international alignment during the Cold War era.
Anthurium and Roses
