mojo2

Flowers may indicate mourning, memory, emotion, or prestige. They are present at weddings and funerals, at parades, and on certain holidays—sensual and symbolic, a mass-produced commodity of consumerism, globalization, and the fusion of high and low culture. From a botanical perspective, a flower, its color, and scent serve as attractants that guide prospective vectors for pollination or as a warning sign not to be eaten. Beyond their biological classification and purposes, flowers carry immense cultural meaning as each community and each generation redefines its meaning anew. 

We are exploring the space between the biological functions of a flower and the human overlay of meaning, using our personal experiences as the foundation as we endeavor to contribute to a larger conversation. Our frequent travels provide opportunities and situations that demand our attention. Wherever we go, we make time to visit gardens and arboretums. These experiences serve as a catalyst for addressing a more encompassing question as we reflect on the cargo we carry, both inherited and chosen. While "cargo" typically denotes material belongings, here, we refer to the ideas and perceptions we carry with us wherever we go. This process is an exercise in becoming more mindful and intentional. The question takes various forms, such as asking what we think of flowers and how we came by that definition, but the underlying question remains constant: what will we choose to carry forward, and what will we leave behind?

These paintings are the residue and documentation of an internal experience filled with all kinds of questions.

A series of monoprints created during an artist residency at the Ballinglen Art Foundation in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

A series of monoprints, book arts, and collages created during an artist residency at the Ballinglen Art Foundation in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

16 Paintings and 4 Drawings

Gouache, Acrylic, Natural Inks, Graphite

The result of a four-week collaboration between Melinda and Joseph Ostraff at an artist residency with the Ballinglen Arts Foundation located in Ballycastle, Co Mayo, Ireland.

Participation in this residency provided us an opportunity to put into motion a process of going somewhere, living there for an extended period, paying attention to our surroundings, and considering the pliability of converting circumstances into art. Ireland provided much to consider. Ever-changing qualities of weather and light on land and sea, layers and systems of human endeavor and history, and good conversations, all have found their way into these paintings.

It was the common ground of this shared experience that initiated a more personal conversation between the two of us. At times the exchange left us off balance as we navigated place and each other’s marks. That unsure space and the results have ended up meaning a great deal to us as we explore new avenues of collaboration.

Common Steps and Variable Journeys

An art practice designed for daily application as part of artist residencies or community-based installation projects. This initial venture serves as a prototype for future, more extensive projects.

Basic Idea

Reinterpreting the familiar phrase "Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes," we invited people to share their journeys, allowing us to step into their experiences for a brief and fleeting moment.

This project focused on mapping and exploring routes provided by others. Participants submitted directions on a 4” x 6” card, and we followed these instructions, documenting the journey and recording the final destination.

Delving into each journey, we responded to the physical experience and its associated stories through various methods including GPS tracking, text collected from conversations overheard while walking, drawing, collage, painting, etc. Engaging in conversations was central to our approach. A civil conversation—one without contention, marked by respectful exchanges of ideas. However, this brief London encounter revealed a distinction between casual discussions about the weather or asking for directions and requesting someone to share a destination personally significant to them. Such a request became an act of generosity, as it required consideration and emotional investment.

Over ten days, we pursued these leads, documenting and responding to each journey. These initial responses formed a databank of experiences that will serve as the foundation for a deeper, more extended exploration.