Freya Ridings’ ethereal voice—emotive, cinematic, and otherworldly—pairs naturally with the surreal visual world created by artist Maggie West. Both artists evoke a sense of dreamlike beauty in their work: Ridings through her soaring melodies and introspective lyrics, and West through her vivid use of color, light, and natural forms. Together, their styles reflect a shared emotional atmosphere—one that feels intimate, powerful, and visually transcendent.
MAGGIE WEST
Maggie West is internationally recognized for her experimental floral photography and large-scale immersive installations. Her practice blends time-lapse techniques, surreal lighting, and botanical subjects to create vibrant, dreamlike environments. West’s recent exhibition at Outernet London transformed the venue’s massive digital screens into a hypnotic landscape of animated flowers and shifting color, drawing thousands of viewers into her signature world.
In addition to her immersive floral exhibits, West is known for her vibrant, color-saturated portrait photography. Using rich lighting and surreal color palettes, she transforms her subjects into striking, otherworldly figures that radiate emotion and intensity. Her work often explores themes of identity and transformation, blending fine art aesthetics with pop-cultural relevance.
CONCEPT
For her portrait concept with Ridings, West envisions a contemporary interpretation of Art Nouveau portraiture, drawing particular inspiration from the work of Alphonse Mucha. Mucha’s iconic posters—celebrated for their flowing lines, botanical ornamentation, and ethereal female subjects—serve as a visual starting point.
PHOTO CONCEPT
West’s version reimagines those romantic, nature-driven compositions through a distinctly modern lens, incorporating minimal neon elements, contemporary floral design, and her signature color lighting to create a stylized, cinematic atmosphere that complements Ridings’ otherworldly presence.
Rather than replicating the ornate detail of Mucha’s work, West distills its essence into a cleaner, more sculptural aesthetic. Ridings would be framed by subtle arcs of light, abstract floral structures, and color washes that echo the emotional tone of her music. The result would be a set of portraits that honor the visual legacy of Art Nouveau while presenting a fresh, futuristic take on femininity—blending past and present through light, texture, and emotion.
