Vancouver-based artist Jennifer Latour creates sculptural assemblages that combine different flower species into single, hybrid forms, then photographs them in natural landscapes. The practice began during lockdown when Latour started arranging botanical materials found around her home into unconventional compositions inspired by a recurring dream of giant flowers with multiple species growing from one stem.
After initial experiments indoors, Latour moved the work outdoors, sourcing flowers from local garden centers, flower shops, and grocery stores that carry locally grown botanicals. She assembles each piece by hand, connecting stems to create forms that evoke interconnectedness in nature.
Working outside introduced significant challenges, particularly wind, which can scatter delicate petals and stems before a photograph is captured. Latour describes the process as requiring considerably more patience and time than studio work, but also more satisfying when successful.
The resulting Bound Species series presents the temporary sculptures in settings such as Snow Canyon and Red Canyon in Utah, with the landscape serving as both backdrop and environmental collaborator. Each arrangement exists only for the duration of the photo session.
Latour's images are currently included in two group exhibitions: Where the Seasons Endure at Gallery COA in Montreal and The House and the Forest at Can Balaguer in Palma, Mallorca. A solo exhibition is planned for 2027.
The artist intends to continue the practice with upcoming trips to Arizona and the U.K. seaside, aiming to eventually bring the work to remote and unique locations worldwide. She views the project as an evolving practice she will pursue until physical limitations prevent it.
Latour has stated that the compositions serve as a reminder that all creatures are bound simultaneously by both their similarities and their differences, a concept reflected in the hybrid nature of the assembled forms.
Jennifer Latour Preserves Ephemeral Beauty in Her Otherworldly Botanical Assemblages
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