Pear Grid Chromatogram Giclée Print
Pear Grid Chromatogram Giclée Print
Couldn't load pickup availability
Soil chromatography is like taking a photo of the compounds and bacteria that make up a substance.
This listing is for a giclee print (aka a digitally printed copy) of a chromatogram I made for my body of work titled The Land Loves Us. You will receive a 10" x 10" unframed reproduction print. Note that while I have uploaded photos that match the prints' colors as closely as I can, colors may vary among different computer monitors. What appears on your monitor may not reflect the exact shades of color in the print.
Locally grown Asian Pear
After using up all the pears my cousin gave me to make chromatograms, I bought a locally grown Asian Pear from Oriana's Orchard. To make chromatograms, I fold xuan paper into different shapes. Unfolding this print in the winter of 2023 made me feel like I was transported back to the fall. The flaming colors in this print remind me of the reds of autumn leaves. This print features vibrant reds with browns and hints of black.
The original chromatogram featured in my exhibition, Mari Miller: The Land Loves Us, at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago in early 2024. It also featured in the promo materials I designed for the show. Learn more about the exhibition here.
What is Soil Chromatography?
What is Soil Chromatography?
Soil chromatography is often used by farmers to qualitatively assess soil health. I’ve spent the past two and a half years widening the creative possibilities of this lesser known soil science test.
I use soil chromatography to extract the normally invisible compounds and bacteria in plants and soil, then illuminate them using silver nitrate, a classic photography chemical. Each color and striation signifies a separate compound or bacteria present in the tea, fruit, or plant I used to make the chromatograms (one-of-a-kind prints made using chromatography).
Giving Back
Giving Back
My work with chromatography is intrinsically related to the land, and some of my chromatograms are made using food and plants grown on stolen land. Indigenous communities are the land's strongest defenders, so 10% of each chromatogram sale gets donated to Indigenous communities.
Free Postcard
Free Postcard
Every purchase of a physical item receives a free postcard. One per order. The current postcards include a picture of one of my favorite chromatograms, Chinese Chive Roots and Stems, that I grew in my community garden plot in Chicago.
Share
