Alexa Rose Mural School at The Common Well, 2024

Jo Backus had the honor of being selected as one of 8 artists to participate in the 2024 Mural School program, hosted by The Common Well in Garden City, funded by the generosity of The Alexa Rose Foundation, and taught by Jay Smith of Signs by Jay. Fellow artists included Lauren Benner, Hannah Burrell, Jordynn Eld, Ella Hoffhine, Jose Hurtado, Chase Oneida, and Amber Sheldon.

Backus dedicated their mural space to victims of ongoing violence and displacement in Ukraine and Palestine, and landed on their design after consulting with Sazha Gazova (@pam_malina on Instagram) on flowers that are culturally significant to Ukraine. Based on Gazova’s input, lilacs and hollyhocks were added to the sunflowers in the upper register of the painting. The Palestinian Iris, endemic to the hills of Palestine, and watermelons, whose interior colors mirror the colors of the Palestinian flag, were included in the lower register to signify solidarity with Palestinian victims of violence.

Syringa flowers, Idaho’s state flower, are sprinkled throughout the background, with the large, bloodshot eyes Backus includes in her work signifying a commitment to not turn away from these ongoing conflicts.

The composition was created by referencing the actual heights of all of the plants and composed tallest to shortest, the same way Backus composes their gardens.

Backus chose geese as the centerpiece of the painting for their tenacity and ubiquity in their home in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. The painting speaks to both her support for the peoples of Palestine and Ukraine, and her hope her home will continue to support victims and accept refugees displaced by these and other conflicts.