Soil chromatography is like taking a photo of the compounds and bacteria that make up a substance.

Soil chromatography is often used by farmers to qualitatively assess soil health. I’ve spent the past two years turning this lesser known soil science test into a more expansive artistic technique. Because it is a form of photography made without a camera, each print (also called a chromatogram), is one of a kind. This is an original chromatogram, not a digitally produced copy of the print. Learn more about chromatography here. 

Plum Flowers
I created this chromatogram using dried plum flowers I bought in Chicago's Chinatown and use for steeping into medicinal teas. I use soil chromatography to illuminate the vitality of the world around us. To make visible the love the land gifts us through food. This print gives us a glimpse at the world hidden inside plum flowers, with each color and striation signifying a separate compound or bacteria in the blossoms. 

In Chinese culture, plum flowers are one of the Four Gentlemen, plants with deep cultural meaning. They symbolize virtue and perseverance against adversity, among other traits that denote an upright and noble character. Plum Flower is also my family's name: Moy, in Toisanese. Or Mei in Cantonese and Mandarin.

This chromatogram has a very slight ding in one corner, which is why it has been discounted.

Hanging
I created this chromatogram on xuan paper and wet mounted it onto Chinese mounting paper. It measures 11.5"x18" and comes with two built-in-tabs so you can hang it on the wall without a frame along either short end of the print. Simply push the two included thumb tacks through the tab. The tab is thin enough that you may also frame it. I can also send it to you with one or zero tabs.

Note that while I have uploaded photos that match the chromatogram's 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. This chromatogram is made up of warm browns that tip towards reds and yellows.

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. Check out my blog and Instagram (links in profile) for updates on chromatogram donations.