Flora Iris Burghout draws flowers because of their liveliness and beauty. Exuberant flowers such as the iris, hibiscus, hortensia, and peony rose etc. appeal to her the most. Iris captures flowers’ energy and the last moments of their ‘life story’ in series of drawings and spatial art. Working in series gives Iris the opportunity to display multiple facets of the flower (some times also seeds and roots and such) and to intensify the theme. Iris usually works for a number of years on several series at the same time. Because she uses direct observation in her work, Iris is dependant on the seasons. She secures the quick changes and short lives of flowers in drawings, which are later worked out, either on paper, canvas or in objects and installations. The intimacy of watching creates a bond with the flower. Expressive details show the characteristics of the flower and are literally enlarged in the art work. Burghout’s observations of behaviour and events of the flower’s life lead to discoveries providing the theme of a series of art work. The most important element in Burghout’s work is the climax of bloom, when the flower oozes vitality and beauty, and the following stage, when the flower withers. Without heavy tragedy and aware of its evanescence, the flower tries to continue shining soulfully and to die in its own way. The drawings combine different sorts of material, such as colour pencil, pen, soft pastel, aquarelle, acryl, oil-paint and gloss paint. Each of these materials offers its own possibilities, enabling contrasts and aesthetic to be used fully. Out of a flat surface, such as a drawing on paper, a copper plate or steal plate – worked on with a jigsaw or using arc-saw technique –, a spatial work is created by bending and overlapping the surface. The object is then used as a canvas to draw further on, or elements of wool, wood, plastic, bee wax, minerals, and polyester yarn are added to the work. Iris Burghout works experimentally and organically. She plays with parts of the installation and drawings, which are always presented in different and surprising combinations. Burghout’s work is characterized by the sensitive conduct of lines, the organic shape language and the bubbly use of colour. The style of her work is clear and monumental, but also baroque. Through her work, Iris Burghout wants the spectator to experience the lust for life, the power and beauty of flowers. Her work offers a romantic escape from reality, but at the same time life and death are dynamically present. By emphasizing one single flower, she wishes to make the spectator aware of the riches in flora (and nature altogether) and the soul of all life, as far as little, temporary creatures as flowers.