My installation consists of a 30-page full color cookbook, 4” x 6” recipe cards, which can be taken by viewers, portraits of the individuals who contributed recipes, rendered in oil paint, and drawings printed on transparent film. The cookbook, titled Generously Spiced, features cherished family recipes from several geographic regions. These regions include the Caribbean, South Asia, and North America. I collected recipes from friends, their family members, and included some of my own family’s recipes. The recipes are accompanied by hand drawn illustrations. Portraiture is central to my practice due to my desire to share people’s stories and their unique backgrounds. I work in drawing and painting because these mediums allow me to experiment with a variety of color palettes. Each piece is created with care, and my goal is to honor each person. This project focuses on the role of food as a means of sharing cultural recipes and family traditions. My work is centered around social sculpture and aims to leave a positive impact on society using language and social interaction. Food is one of the most important ways that we show love for one another, and these recipes are a gateway to understanding other cultural identities.

My intended audience includes residents of the Twin Cities area and people from all over the world. My hope is for viewers to feel empowered, and to foster community. The book highlights recipes that are lesser known in Minnesota. As a Jamaican-American, I wanted to share my own family recipes. Nearly 8,000 Caribbean people live in Minnesota as of 2019, according to MPR News. However, this community’s history is rarely discussed. The inclusion of multiple Caribbean recipes in the book encourages viewers to learn more about Caribbean cultures. I engage with my audience by providing a space for people to have conversations about their family traditions and memories. The table in the installation serves as a gathering place. The hashtag #generouslyspiced allows people to share their food creations on social media and continue engaging with the project. In addition, the book and recipe cards allow viewers to bring the recipes home and prepare the dishes themselves.

Amanda Rose’s Website: https://amandaroseartist.com/

Instagram: @manda.art

Behance: https://www.behance.net/amandarose