Perfect imperfection

I t immediately becomes clear after stepping into artist Emma Bass’ home that this is a woman who is besotted with flowers. There are floral spectacles adorning every mantelpiece, table and cabinet in sight. I find Bass in her studio busily multitasking, snapping shots and rearranging a hibiscus flower as part of the vibrant masterpiece she is creating. Her attention to detail is remarkable. “Isn’t it just magnificent,” she says, rearranging the shot, then running out to her garden to scavenge for a hydrangea flower.

Flowers have been the primary subject of Bass’ work for more than six years, but she