Pink Rookwood (Champlain Roses)
Artist
Ellen Phelan
(American, born 1943)
Date1998
MediumWatercolor, gouache on paper
DimensionsFrame Size: 19 1/4 × 14 3/8 × 1 1/8 in. (48.9 × 36.5 × 2.9 cm)
Image Size: 12 3/4 × 7 3/4 in. (32.4 × 19.7 cm)
ClassificationsDrawing
Credit LinePurchased with funds provided by Friends and Family of Mary Jane Bigler as a memorial tribute, 1999
Object numberUAC2421
DescriptionWith all of the romance that's in the air, we must acknowledge what a wonderful feeling it is to have someone recognize you, remember you, appreciate you, and to love you. If you've ever received flowers from someone or a special gift, you understand the feeling of being seen - intimacy.Ellen Phelan's career started in 1968 within the Cass Corridor, as she began pursuing her Bachelors of Fine Art Degree at Wayne State University. She was known to explore the bridge between sculpture and painting, addressing formal concerns as well as expressing her emotions through the materials. She is a prolific artist, who is still making work today.
Pink Rookwood (Champlain Roses) is a small, delicate painting of different roses in a vase. On the surface it seems very simple and straightforward, yet the symbolism of red roses is powerful. It is a token of love, affection, sometimes used as a distraction or an apology. The gift of red roses is an icon in our culture for romance, yet we know that romance is much more complex than a vase full of roses. In addition to that, we know that the rose is more than just a beautiful flower, it also has thorns, and its oil can work as an antidepressant, an aphrodisiac, and has many more healing qualities to it.
Text by Emily Lane Borden
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