: Floral Embrace | Haraya Tejido

“Floral Embrace” by Haraya Tejido at Galerie Joaquin Collective

Text by Mikai Francisco

Visual artist Haraya Tejido’s latest mini-exhibition “Floral Embrace,” features the artist’s signature pastel blooms brilliantly unfurling upon her canvases. Each of the artist’s brushstrokes comes with a quiet suggestion — a whispered invitation to pause and appreciate the moment

An intrinsic optimism exists at the center of Haraya’s works. She again transports her viewers into a candy-colored world of cheerful florals. Right away, an upward directionality becomes apparent in this collection; her stylized flowers seem to reach for the sun’s life-giving rays as their leaves and petals unfurl. This movement is further pushed and exaggerated by her inclusion of sweeping lines of color in the background following this visual momentum. With the lightness of her color palette, Haraya creates an overall sense of emotional buoyancy in her uplifting floral scenes.

It is easy to get swept away by the motions of life when faced with the constant hustle and bustle of the modern world. This mini-exhibition is Haraya Tejido’s recognition of this. As she renders these flowers that constantly bask in the nourishing warmth of the sun, the artist almost playfully invites onlookers to stop and smell the roses — to pause and appreciate the current moment.

“Floral Embrace,” is Haraya Tejido’s invitation to her viewers to slow down and savor the beauty that surrounds oneself. Each piece from this collection offers a contemplative pause amidst the rush of everyday existence. It is in these moments of lightness that one can become succinctly aware of the goodness present in their life. This is essential for fostering the gentle optimism needed to plant seeds of kindness within the everyday.