Grief Grows Where Love Remains
Ali Parico
The models I chose are two people who made my university life more meaningful. They supported me through difficult moments, made me feel cared for, and brought comfort and joy into my life. Including them in this work reflects the reality that grief does not exist in isolation, but alongside connection, support, and healing. Each flower used in the series was carefully researched and selected based on its symbolic meaning. This process is especially significant to me, as my stepmother used to explain different flowers and what they represent. By incorporating these flowers into my work, I am continuing her presence and knowledge through the visual language of my project. The series follows the emotional structure of the Five Stages of Grief, developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, but also reflects my own personal experiences of grief over time. This work is not only about grief as a concept, but about my own lived experience. It reflects how I have navigated difficult emotions while finding ways to continue forward. The flowers act as both symbols and memories, making each piece sentimental and personal. Ultimately, this series shows that grief and love are deeply connected. Even in loss, love remains present — growing, evolving, and continuing in new forms.
This series is a deeply personal response to the loss of my stepmother, exploring grief through five images. Using flowers as symbolic forms, each piece represents a stage of bereavement, reflecting shifting emotions over time. The work captures fragility, sorrow, and gradual acceptance, expressing what is often difficult to articulate. The images were taken using a DSLR camera, with 35mm and 75mm lenses to create varied perspectives and focus. Together, the series forms a visual narrative of loss and healing, offering an intimate insight into coming to terms with absence.
Yellow Carnation
