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ARTIST STATEMENT

Mary Frances Spears

My time this spring has been a literal journey. As we traveled to the

west in early March it was with hopes of witnessing “super blooms”
throughout the desert southwest. What I didn’t anticipate was

recording the last 2 months of my mother’s life through the roadside

moments of wildflowers sightings.

I choose to memorialize this time with a photographic triptych “Apricot

Mallow”.

The story of the Apricot Mallow spans unknown centuries of nomadic

and pueblo peoples as well as the pioneers and immigrants that would
follow. The Navajo refer to it as a Life Medicine, utilizing every part of

the plant. From healing salves that soothe abrasions to burns to

immune boosting teas that are still used today for sore throats and
decongestants.

Because mallow grows in disturbed soils, on trails, and along roads, this
perennial quickly grows up to 3 feet tall when moisture is present. One

story relates how nomadic tribes would often drag their walking sticks

to disturb the soil along their travels to create places for the mallow to

germinate, harvesting a fresh “crop” on their return journey

These images where capture at sunrise on the Pahranagat National

Wildlife Refuge, a sacred place believed by the Southern Paiute to be

were life and heaven begin.