Fauxtanicals

Fauxtanicals gathers paintings, prints, giclees and one-of-a-kind upcycled clothing by Salisbury artist Mike Ploplis at Heart of Salisbury, 120A E. Innes St., on view through the end of July after an opening reception on May 29. The botanical-inspired works are built with common enamel spray paint and dish soap, which Ploplis uses as a masking agent to create a layered, batik-like effect. A former firefighter and flight paramedic, Ploplis came to painting through art therapy while in treatment for PTSD, and has described the practice as central to both his mental-health journey and his return to art as a career. The show was curated by Heart of Salisbury owner Wivianny DeHaas, who installed the collection with the artist over two days.