Inspired by the flower markets of South Asia, where masculine men routinely sell flower garlands from wicker baskets on bustling streets, “The Florist” examines the subversive nature of floral arrangement worldwide. What defines an arrangement? Who is considered a florist?

“The Florist” challenges our assumptions, inviting us to reconsider not just our visual language but also the words we use to describe the everyday. In the West, the term “florist” often conjures an image of a curated profession, one associated with artistry and predominantly white ownership, while those who sell flowers in markets across Asia are rarely granted the same title. Labor and artistry are racialized, separating the “florist” from the “flower-seller” based on a Western gaze. Your local florist could be closer than they seem.