Marla McLean, Artist
Materials, Meaning, Metaphor

Call me a Fool (Valerie June)

“Do your little bit of good wherever you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu

Mixed media mosaic with vintage camera, tile, glass, used vigil candles.

19.5" x 19.5"

This piece glitters and a rainbow made of tile catches your eye all while reminding you that the audacity to believe in the power of change and love 

in the midst of injustice and hatred is a superpower

Prayer Wheels to End Racism and Create Compassion

Mixed Media prayer Wheels with mosaic

36" x 11 1/2" x 4"

The four little girls painted on the wheels are Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Carol Denise McNair who perished in the racist terrorist bombing of The 16^th Street Birmingham Church in 1963. While working on this piece, another act of racist terrorism occurred, the Charleston Church Shooting. In response, I added the names of the eleven victims.

There is no more room to add the expanding roster of names and faces taken from this earth through violence rooted in racism.

Turn the wheel to counter the political spoken and unspoken effects of hatred and racism.

The mantra, Om Mani Padme Om, (Lotus Mantra) 

Just as a lotus grows forth and pushes out from the mud, may I emerge out of the current culture of despair and violence. May I rise into beauty and compassion.

May I act on this.

Rise up.

Prayer wheels to End Racism and Create Compassion