'Xero Drama' an Installation of Expired Plantlife & Minerals

Mellowist was invited to design plantscapes in support of ‘Puerperal’, a solo presentation by Fay Ray, currently on view at Compound, a community driven art, wellness, and dining space located in Long Beach, CA. The exhibition will feature Ray’s iconic two- and three-dimensional monochromatic sculptures as well as newly commissioned work. The forms, sculptures, photographic collages, and architectural interventions explore the material realities of the postpartum condition.

For ‘Xero Drama’ we staged barren landscapes of cacti carcasses interwoven with healing crystals and minerals that evoke a poetic meditation on transformation, endurance, and renewal. The cactus, a plant synonymous with resilience, remains steadfast in its harsh native environment and coincides with Ray’s postpartum aesthetic which takes inspiration from the “fourth trimester” – a term used to refer to the period of repair and restoration after giving birth.

About Compound
Compound is a community driven art, wellness, and dining space in Long Beach, CA. With a holistic and inclusive approach, they offer contemporary art exhibitions and immersive experiences, classes, and workshops in the healing arts, performances, dining, and spaces to wander and reflect- all in an effort to promote connection, belonging, curiosity, and growth.