about

BLOSSOMROT, a name derived from the organic imperfection that strikes the tomato flower at the cusp of its maturation, is both a concept and a guiding principle in Mel Salli’s artistic practice. Like the rot that signals the decay of what could have been, Salli’s work navigates the inherent tension between dissolution and renewal, illustrating the simultaneous fragility and potential of transformation. Through a synthesis of quilting and butoh dance, their work challenges established boundaries, interrogating themes of identity, diaspora, and the complexity of human experience.

Salli is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a region steeped in the tradition of Pennsylvania Dutch quilting. Their quilts are modern, punk-infused reimaginings of this historical craft, intertwining abstract forms with deeply personal narratives. They challenge the conventions of quilting by infusing the medium with raw, visceral energy, while simultaneously honoring the traditions from which it originates. The abstract compositions that emerge within each quilt subvert expectations, drawing attention to the physicality and fragility of both form and content. Each piece speaks to the experience of survival, while simultaneously reflecting on the universal and the personal, leaving space for viewers to consider the layers beneath the surface.

A graduate of Bennington College ‘22, Salli’s practice is deeply invested in an examination of the body, its movements, and its embedded histories. Their work seeks to expose the often-overlooked narratives that shape identity and transformation, offering a critical reflection on how the body and its experiences remain both visible and obscured.

Rooted in DIY ethos and a punk sensibility, blossomrot represents a subversion of traditional forms and ideologies. It is an invitation to engage with the untold, to examine the complexities of decay and regeneration, and to question the prevailing narratives surrounding growth, identity, and survival.