Overlooked is a series of cyanotype photograms exploring weeds and dead flowers near artist Amanda Porter’s home. Attention is drawn to simple shapes, strong lines, and soft edges in blue and white. The collection includes big and small, but all life-sized overlooked plants whose cast shadows were captured through sunlight and water.

 

Weeds are simply “a plant that is not valued where it is growing” according to Webster’s Dictionary. Unwanted but it grows, nevertheless. Weeds can be very resilient, wild and expansive. They can grow in clusters like a community working to stand against all that works to devalue and uproot them. Perhaps there is something to learn from the weed, they are more noble than first thought. Their rightful place might be in vases with blooms on display.

 

Valued plants showcased in flower beds are overlooked in death as their color fades but have beauty yet to offer. They stand tall together to the end and offer of themselves for the next generation before they are returned to dust.