Vartan Kelechian’s series of photographs entitled The Black Tulip documents the captivating formation of life and ideas by exploring bodily shapes, which are elegantly and symbolically disguised from the naked eye. Every image in the ten-piece series, featuring ten different models, chronicles a stage of body formation, and with it, tells the story of the blossoming “tulip” that is gradually disclosed as the frames progress.

“The most beautiful things are hidden from the eyes of the world,” Kelechian says. “Through this series of photographs, I’ve captured the mystery and the elusive miracle of life taking shape – it’s a thrilling journey across something rare, striking and eternally fascinating.”