Flowers of Britain

A series exploring the connection between our changing emotional response to the natural world and National Health Service over the time of Covid.

During lockdown, deprived of our usual human interactions, many found a deep desire to be in nature but were similarly denied it, in what was arguable the most beautiful spring Britain had enjoyed in years.

In our suddenly emptied streets, as councils stopped spraying and cutting, the verges, carparks and walls were reclaimed by plant life. Flowers sprang up through cracks and concrete. Normally discouraged, their strength and determination to flourish in a seemingly hostile environment gave them new status and called on us to appreciate them.

At the same time, we were rediscovering our gratitude for the workers of the NHS. We emerged each Thursday into our streets to applaud them, as though noticing for the first time their determination, dedication and courage. We clapped them together as a nation and, often against their wishes, called them heroes.

We were aware of something new... something that had been there all along.

In these portraits I have photographed workers of the NHS in their place of work, each holding a wildflower.

Some of these flowers and some of these people may have come to these shores more recently than others. Regardless, the NHS, and the flowers that grow on these islands, are life-giving forces – too often overlooked.

This work seeks to celebrate them both.

Deji Olafin, Senior Biomedical Scientist with Echinops sphaerocephalus.jpg

Deji Olafin Senior Biomedical Scientist with Echinops sphaerocephalus 2.jpg

Rantimi Ayodele, Consultant Surgeon with Eschscholzia californica.jpg

Donnisha Best Assistant general Manager with Foeniculum vulgare.jpg

Jawahar Singh Hundal, Porter with Leucanthemum vulgare.jpg

Jawahar Singh Hundal, Porter with Leucanthemum vulgare 2.jpg

Kindness Iroaganachi, Doctor with Digitalis.jpg

Kindness Iroaganachi, Doctor with Digitalis 2.jpg

Millie Johnson, Chief Chemist with Cosmos bipinnatus.jpg

Millie Johnson, Chief Chemist with Cosmos bipinnatus 2.jpg

Majid Nowroozi, Porter with Eschscholzia califonica.jpg

Majid Nowroozi, Porter with Eschscholzia califonica 2.jpg

Natasha Bakasa, Staff Nurse with Dahlia.jpg

Natasha Bakasa, Staff Nurse with Dahlia 2 1.jpg

Rajesh Nemane, Doctor with Antirrhinum majus.jpg

Rajesh Nemane, Doctor with Antirrhinum majus 2.jpg

Swara Sandhya, Staff Nurse with Calendula officinalis.jpg

Swara Sandhya, Staff Nurse with Calendula officinalis 2.jpg

info

prev / next

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·