(un)folding-books

Melinda and Joseph Ostraff share a collaborative studio practice that brings together their distinct areas of expertise and complementary ways of thinking. Melinda earned her PhD in Environmental Science and Human Geography from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, with a focus on ethnobotany. Joseph holds an MFA from the University of Washington in Seattle. Together, their work explores the intersection of human geography and the natural world, resulting in a multifaceted artistic practice.

Over the past two decades, book arts have become a central part of their creative process. In recent years, family members with diverse areas of expertise have joined them to form (un)folding-books.

The collective includes:

Melinda Ostraff – BS in Mathematics and MS in Botany, Brigham Young University; PhD in Human Geography/Environmental Sciences, University of Victoria, British Columbia

Joseph Ostraff – BFA in Studio Arts, Brigham Young University; MFA in Painting, University of Washington, Seattle

Josh Ostraff – BFA in Studio Arts, Brigham Young University; MFA in Painting, University of Minnesota

Jenny Ostraff Macfarlane – BFA in Printmaking and MPA, Brigham Young University

Hannah (Ostraff) Russell – BFA in Graphic Design, Brigham Young University; MFA candidate in Graphic Design, Utah State University

Kaleb Ostraff – BA in Art and MA in Art Education, Brigham Young University; PhD in Art Education, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

Alexis (Fryer) Ostraff – BFA in Studio Arts, Brigham Young University

Zachary Ostraff – BS in English, Brigham Young University; MFA in Creative Writing, Eastern Washington University; PhD in Creative Writing, Texas Tech University

Elise (Boucher) Ostraff – BFA in Studio Arts, Brigham Young University; MFA candidate in Painting, University of Wisconsin–Madison

This website documents their individual projects as well as collaborations with other artists.