Dialogue and challenge: wildflowers in contemporary Israeli art mirrored in history

This article looks at images of wildflowers in contemporary Israeli art and their evolution in Israel's visual cultural. Wildflowers were regarded a part of the Zionist ideology in strengthening the connection of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel. They served as "cultural objects' that contributed to shaping national identity by appearing on stamps, bank notes, in official Zionist publications and in botanical guidebooks. The article examines how contemporary Israeli artists relate to this tradition by looking at the artworks of six contemporary Israeli Jewish artists, using both visual analysis and in-depth interviews with the artists. The findings indicate that contemporary artists conduct a complex dialogue with the wildflowers and challenge their national symbolism. The images reflect an ambivalent relationship that includes attachment and belonging alongside discomfort and criticism.