red

By Judi Cohen

One of my earliest childhood memories was watching the cherries ripen on the trees at our family home. When the plump shiny cherries turned bright red, it was time to pick and eat them. Happily, I was able to see the bursts of cherry blossoms in the spring and the picking of bushels of cherries for the 60 years my mother lived in that house.

Perhaps that is why I have been drawn to the colour red during my travels and at home. From nearby New York where I regularly see Robert Indiana's iconic "Love" sculpture to my many trips to India to see Holi, the festival of colours, or during Diwali, where I learned about the significance of the colour red for fertility, love, and weddings. In the colourful markets in Asia, it is the red fruit and vegetables, like tomatoes, chili peppers, apples and pomegranates that always caught my eye, and became the subject of my photographs.

Streaks of red in art, furniture, carpets, cars and clothes are signatures of my style and personal choices. I accessorize my rooms, backyard, clothing with reds, and even wear bright red lipstick proudly! Red screams "life" to me. I am, after all, an assertive, passionate and energetic person, all characteristics associated with the colour red!

Photos (Opposite, from top left): LOVE; Traditional red wedding dress Bishnoi Village, India; Celebrating Holi in Narlai, India; Flower Sellers in Myanmar This page (Clockwise from top left): Fiery Red Ferrari in Paris; Dancers during Holi Festival India; Sofa and art Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista Italy; Ripe Red Cherries; Hot Red Chilis in Market, India