Amaranthus as an Artistic Subject

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Golden Beach Reverie

This painting is called Golden Beach Reverie. I was surprised when Tonya asked me if I wanted some Amaranthus here in Cully. I love the colours and the unusual shapes of the Amaranthus, so I was eager to try my hand at growing it. This will provide a constant source of artistic ideas.

As always, I was keen to know all about the plant and its properties. As I returned to the car from picking up some seeds, I noticed hibiscus growing at RESQ. So, I asked about getting a plant. Here it is! You can see the Amaranthus seedlings behind it. You can see a Gumbi Gumbi to the side.

I have spaced the Amaranthus along the fence for support, with Snow peas in between. When these Clitoria ternatea are grown enough, I will place them between these plants to create a tangle like the painting above.

The properties of the Amaranthus are many and varied. Complex enough that they will be the subjects of an upcoming post. It is a hardy plant and can be regarded as a weed. For some, it is a staple diet. You can read about it on Wikipedia.

In the meantime, check out how I have been creating products from the above painting.

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Ama Ndlovu explores the connections of culture, ecology, and imagination.

Her work combines ancestral knowledge with visions of the planetary future, examining how Black perspectives can transform how we see our world and what lies ahead.