These artworks are part of the Sustain series. To connect the themes in my project to the history of American vegetable gardening, especially the WWII era victory gardens, where Americans grew 60% of their produce during the war, Ivana creates artworks with a vintage aesthetic. She wants to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when more people grew food in the backyard and community gardens. Ivana innovated a technique using mixed media and digital photography image transfer on aluminum to create these unique artworks in warm tones that recall the historic tintype process. Subtle inclusions of the contemporary urban environment connect us from our past to our present and the artworks highlight a means to a more sustainable future. To learn more click here to read the full artist statement
Jerusalem Artichokes in November
Jerusalem Artichokes in November
You dig into the cool November soil and feel something substantial beneath the surface. Can you imagine the thrill of pulling up these knobby, ginger-like tubers, each one larger than you expected? Picture the crisp autumn air filling your lungs as you brush away the clinging earth, revealing the pale, substantial forms of a vegetable ancestors cultivated centuries ago. The bright tubers emerge as the focal point against the darker tones of the garden soil in this monochromatic composition. The smooth, luminous surface of the mixed media with photo transfer contrasts with the raw aluminum edges that frame this moment of discovery. This artwork expresses the adventure of growing native vegetables that thrive naturally and the connection to indigenous agricultural wisdom passed down through generations.
Imagine this intriguing artwork in your kitchen or dining room, where guests ask about these unusual vegetables they've never grown themselves. Friends lean in with curiosity, sharing their own experiments with heritage crops or asking where to find sunchoke tubers for their spring planting. The piece sparks conversations about rediscovering native foods and the tall sunflower like blooms that appear before the November harvest. This artwork celebrates the intrigue of growing and eating something unfamiliar and the deep roots that connect us to the land.
“Have you ever tasted Jerusalem artichoke? They are native wild vegetables and were cultivated by Native Americans. They’re also known as sunchokes because of the beautiful sunflower-type blooms that grow on 4 foot high stalks in the late autumn. I tried growing them with my husband in my home garden and I was really excited when my husband pulled up these large specimens so made this piece called “Jerusalem Artichokes in November.””
This signed and numbered limited edition mixed media 8" x10" artwork is part of the Sustain series, created with archival materials for lasting beauty. It is coated in an UV light protection spray. Only 20 will ever be handmade by Ivana. Due to the handmade process, expect the edges of the image to vary slightly. The watermark is only for internet display and will not be on your art. There is a slight surface texture which results in small highlights when photographed. If you need help to envison how it will look a free digital mockup is available so you can see exactly how it will look in your space before adding it to your collection. Contact Ivana for this service.
Currently no. 1/20 is available for you to enjoy.
