[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Instructions to study a leaf<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n Select healthy, mature leaves. Collect them in a dry, plastic bag. Observe the sample for its morphological features. Ask if it hurts \u2014 the skeletal tattoo left by a leafcutter Ask the younger ones how they’re coping. Finally, to document, And before you leave, be a good samaritan \n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/In-Search-of-the-Missing-scaled.png” title_text=”In Search of the Missing” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”0a6c4baa-304e-458e-9003-bb7edad6cc4b” text_font=”Josefin Sans|500|||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Rashmimala, In search of the Missing<\/i><\/em>, Natural pigment with casein, <\/b><\/strong>mixed media on mulberry silk mounted on cloth, 32 x 20 inches, 2025<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In search of the missing<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n It was always a coy, red Jaba that taught us how the plants did it before they came to humans. In class, when they handed us the mauled pieces, it was all there\u2014petal, sepal, stamen, pistil. But dead. Dead and defeated. Just like its image in the hot-pressed textbook. Nothing like the ones in my backyard who knew exactly who they were. And I know it’s for a reason that when these flowers chafe against the grain, it bruises the paper a dark, mountain blue. Aeons later, when they unfolded the beating blob of flesh that held them together and whorled it back, there it was. A plump, red Jaba guffawing at their chest-thumping bluster. Blood-red and throbbing tongues bound by a singular desire. To crown Her cunt every year, when the red river is in spate.<\/p>\n Note: The unfolding of the heart is a nod to the findings of Dr.Francisco Torrent-Guasp that proves that the heart is a single, continuous, muscular band<\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||57px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GREESH.png” title_text=”GREESH” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”0a6c4baa-304e-458e-9003-bb7edad6cc4b” text_font=”Josefin Sans|500|||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Rashmimala, The Ruderals as Companions<\/i><\/em>, (Left to Right) 1. \u00a0Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, Natural<\/i><\/em>\u00a0pigment with casein, mixed media on mul cotton mounted on cloth, 2. Sarsu, Brassica juncea<\/i><\/em>, Natural pigment with casein, mixed media on mulberry silk mounted on cloth, 32 x 20 inches(each), 2025) 3. Gu-bon or Gu-phul, Lantana camara, Natural pigment with casein, mixed media on mulberry silk mounted on cloth<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Ruderals as companions : an ode<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n They settle for piecemeal They take your piss Because they know too well I see you \u2014 I see you all.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Instructions to study a leaf Select healthy, mature leaves. Collect them in a dry, plastic bag.Look around from where your feettouch the ground. Do not move themfrom their chosen graves.\u00a0 Observe the sample for its morphological features.Bend down and say hello. Be the firstto greet them on a busy day.Be casual, like they’re your grandma.After […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":1159,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"(Rashmimala, Study of The Leaf I, II, III & IV, Natural pigments on cotton handmade paper\n18.5 x 11.5 (each) inches, 2025)","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[26],"coauthors":[32],"class_list":["post-1157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-second-issue","tag-second-issue"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1157"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1420,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions\/1420"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1157"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galleryespace.com\/artespace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/span><\/span>Look around from where your feet
touch the ground. Do not move them
from their chosen graves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>Bend down and say hello. Be the first
to greet them on a busy day.
Be casual, like they’re your grandma.
After all, All is leaf.
<\/i><\/em>And, oh yes, it’s definitely a she
relentlessly showing up for the critters to feed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
or the yellowing by the ear,
or does it rather feel like a haircut
or a silvering strand?<\/p>\n
Was it a storm, or a bunch of frivolous children?
Assure them it’s perfectly fine to be raging,
or even jealous
of the unfolding flush.\u00a0<\/p>\n
take photos or draw them in your notebook.
But do not bother to insult them
asking for a name.
The gentle indifference of a name.\u00a0<\/p>\n
and thank them for their service,
for your breath.<\/p>\n
sky and splintered sunshine,
asphalt and cement,
and throw out shrapnels
of wonder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
and poop and settle
for being thankless companions.
They are okay to settle for oblivion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
to rewild their way in
with the wet gunk
of chlorophyll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ashwagandha, Gu-phul, Sarsu\u2026<\/i><\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n