David LaChapelle
Our Lady of the Flowers, 2018
Pigment print
60x45 inches
Following the historical tradition of the Virgin Mary and religious figures appearing to everyday people as a reflection of their own likeness, David LaChapelle felt compelled to depict Mary from a different perspective, one rooted in place, culture, and identity. In Our Lady of the Flowers, LaChapelle draws upon his spiritual practice and life in Maui to reimagine the Madonna figure with profound intimacy and reverence.
At the center of the work is Guetcha, a frequent muse of LaChapelle’s who also appears in Annunciation (2019). Here, she embodies the Virgin Mary, not as a distant icon, but as a divine presence grounded in her own environment. Surrounding her is a radiant garland of tropical flowers, handwoven by local artisans in Maui. This living halo is both a visual offering and a cultural expression, honoring the land, the craft, and the spiritual traditions of the island.
By using Guetcha and incorporating these locally made elements, LaChapelle reframes the sacred through a contemporary and inclusive lens. Our Lady of the Flowers celebrates divine grace not as something removed or abstract, but as deeply personal, immediate, and reflective of the world around us.
A copy of this work is on permanent display in San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. It has become a destination for visitors who leave flowers weekly and use it as a symbol for prayer and meditation.
At the center of the work is Guetcha, a frequent muse of LaChapelle’s who also appears in Annunciation (2019). Here, she embodies the Virgin Mary, not as a distant icon, but as a divine presence grounded in her own environment. Surrounding her is a radiant garland of tropical flowers, handwoven by local artisans in Maui. This living halo is both a visual offering and a cultural expression, honoring the land, the craft, and the spiritual traditions of the island.
By using Guetcha and incorporating these locally made elements, LaChapelle reframes the sacred through a contemporary and inclusive lens. Our Lady of the Flowers celebrates divine grace not as something removed or abstract, but as deeply personal, immediate, and reflective of the world around us.
A copy of this work is on permanent display in San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. It has become a destination for visitors who leave flowers weekly and use it as a symbol for prayer and meditation.
DLC015/2025