Cig Harvey's "Rhododendrons (Scout), Camden, 2022" exemplifies the photographer's mastery of magical realism and intimate storytelling. This evocative image shows Harvey's daughter Scout nestled among vibrant purple and deep crimson rhododendron blooms, creating a dreamlike tableau that transforms an ordinary garden moment into something extraordinary.

Harvey, a British-born photographer based in Maine since 1999, approaches her craft with what she describes as an "urgent call to live." Her work consistently reveals "the mysticism in the mundane" through large-format color photography that achieves luminous, saturated qualities. The rich purples and magentas of the rhododendrons create what Harvey calls "the gasp and awe" - moments that provoke both beauty and surprise.

Scout appears in approximately one-fifth of Harvey's work, serving not merely as subject but as collaborator in exploring what it means to feel alive. The positioning within the floral environment suggests both vulnerability and wonder, embodying Harvey's belief that art should serve as "a catalyst for increased awareness and emotional engagement."

Created in Camden, Maine, where Harvey lives with her family**, this photograph draws from the natural surroundings of their farmhouse environment. The location represents Harvey's philosophy that "time is the only currency" and her dedication to finding beauty in immediate surroundings.

The rhododendrons function as both subject and metaphor in Harvey's visual vocabulary. As flowers that "affect all the senses," they represent her commitment to celebrating sensory experiences and life's fleeting nature. Harvey's technique employs intentional color choices, explaining: "Light, colour, frame and format are purely in service of the story."

This 2022 work represents Harvey's mature artistic vision, embodying her mission to answer: "How can I get you to look? How can I get you to live more?" Through this intimate portrait, Harvey achieves her goal of creating work that doesn't simply document reality but transforms it, provoking contemplation and deeper appreciation for extraordinary beauty embedded within ordinary life.