ARTIST STATEMENT
“Seeds of Love” is a collection of Northern Catalpa seed pods gathered from the Historic Sotterley plantation in Hollywood, Maryland. While working onsite in the fall of 2024, I became captivated by the pods scattered across the grounds, drawn to their unique bends, folds, and distinct textures. As I collected them, my thoughts turned to the generations of people who lived and labored on this land. I found myself wondering if those before, specifically the enslaved individuals who shaped this history, found the same quiet joy and beauty in these natural forms. This work is titled “Seeds of Love” to honor both my passion for these singular specimens and to offer a gesture of deep respect to the ancestors of this site.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Joi Lowe is a visual artist and certified Montessori Guide known for her mixed-media paintings and tapestries that explore African American life, maternal relationships, and the transformation of natural and recycled materials. She has been an artist for over two decades and frequently exhibits her work in Maryland.
© Joi