Bio: Selina Pope is a portrait artist based in London, UK. Her work primarily explores the theme of identity. Drawing from her experience growing up as a person of mixed-race heritage (Chinese and English) in Scotland, she developed a personal understanding of this dynamic. Through portraiture, one of society’s oldest forms of storytelling, her work seeks to capture not only how individuals are seen by society, but also how they want their stories to be told.
Statement about work: This portrait of Selina’s friend Nastasja delves into the complexities of identity. The chaconia flowers, emblematic of her Trinidadian heritage, weave into her garment, symbolising resilience and a proud connection to her ancestry: renowned for their ability to thrive in diverse conditions, the chaconia embodies endurance and strength, reflecting the rich cultural history of Trinidad and Tobago. Cradled close to her heart is an edelweiss – a flower that, as a national symbol of Germany and Switzerland, represents her German heritage and upbringing in Switzerland: delicate yet tenacious, the edelweiss thrives in the harsh conditions of the Alps, highlighting strength and adaptability in the face of adversity.
The contrasting pairing of these flowers—the vibrant, resilient chaconia and the delicate yet hardy edelweiss—mirrors the duality of Nastasja’s identity, illustrating the tension between two distinct cultural worlds while celebrating their interconnectedness and shared beauty.