Morgan Harper Nichols’s thoughtful, human-centred approach to art has earned her a 1.6 million following on Instagram and countless re-pins on Pinterest. Chances are, you’ve come across her compelling quotes and powerful imagery etched against swatches of comforting pastels and watercolour illustrations.
The best-selling author of All Along You Were Blooming was a felicitous choice to collaborate with on Vogue Singapore’s launch issue—one that invited artists to articulate, interpret and explore Vogue Singapore’s exclusive orchid through their craft. The outcome: the Vanda Vogue Singapore Orchid in lush purple hues against a vast mountain top, with her accompanying words of wisdom that reminds us all to trust the process.
What was your thought process when you started on the artwork for Vogue Singapore?
The first thing that really caught my attention was one, I love florals in general, that’s kind of my main inspirations as an artist, so obviously that caught my attention with the orchid. And the second thing was just the, just the uniqueness of the flower itself.
What signature elements have you incorporated into the artwork?
I combined abstract and figurative elements, and I do that as a way of, for me it’s a way of illustrating the tension between the known and the unknown. I just wanted to be expressive, because I was thinking, you know, at the time that we’re in and the world right now—there’s a lot of expression, a lot of emotions, a lot of things that people are feeling, and I’m not a person who believes in you just have one emotion and you just stick with that.
How would you describe your artwork in three words?
Expressive, inviting and… for me, I want people to feel welcome.
What is one thing that you are thankful for even in the midst of this pandemic?
I feel like it’s such a cliche answer, but I’m thankful for family, because I do have a very creative family. So we’re all trying new things and I think everyone in my family has picked up some new skill, something that they’re trying, so it’s been fun just to see.
Do you think art and creativity is essential today?
Yeah, absolutely. For me, creativity is original ideas. And I think that we need original ideas on a really macro level, in terms of like, Okay, how are we going to get through this together? And then, on a micro level, you know, so many people have just experienced so much change. Right now, and now as artists we all have to get creative about how we’re going to create and recreate and reimagine the spaces that we live in, how we work, how we do life.
