Bid for Time Travel, a 17"x 22" photomontage archival pigment print, limited edition 2 of 12, created in 2021, framed from artist, Janine Menlove.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Flower Power is a project of constructed photography that originates from my personal archives of photographs. Playing with shadow, scale and angle of view, the photomontages breakdown limits between place and time. The recurring floral motifs mimic objects of magical beauty that, when assembled with opposing imagery, create new visual information and narratives that explore women's issues, issues of violence and climate issues. Flower Power's essential object is a flower an object that awakens our senses, and an object of pure beauty that often suggests a sense of occasion.

While in development, Flower Power took on a new perspective when in January of 2021 I was diagnosed with COVID-19. Before confirmation of diagnoses, I knew the probable outcome, as I seemed to have the classic symptoms of the coronavirus, including the loss of the ability to smell. As Flower Power's primary subject is an object that rouses both the visual and olfactory senses this very visual project took on a new meaning for me and the importance of taking time to smell the flowers. Literally smelling flowers is currently not available to me, but as a metaphor it lives in my daily being and sends me a poignant reminder that Flower Power is a timely project for me, and to all of us, to take time and to look at the beauty that surrounds us.

BIO

After traveling the globe for thousands of assignments photographing cars, places, architecture and celebrities, Janine has happily left the advertising world behind to be in the world of fine art and galleries. Several of her projects emerge from groups of thematic photos that she deconstructs, repeats, and assembles, to create photomontages of graphic patterns and colourful palettes in a blend of significance and whimsy. Janine lives and works in Northwestern Yonkers, minutes North of New York City and a short walk from Hastings-on-Hudson where she is an artist member at the Upstream Gallery.