Existing comment:
Maya's Mind
Artist: Mischell Riley
Maya's Mind is a twenty foot tall by nine foot wide sculpture of Maya Angelou, great African American poet, singer, activist. This sculpture is a large bust that is mounted on three stacked books creating steps that you can climb up and into Maya's Mind to hear her recite her poem "Still I Rise". Her voice is unique and powerful, adding a dimension and presence in the sculpture that evokes a sort of reverence. At the top of her head bangs an empty birdcage that has no bottom in honor of her famous book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". Her head wrap turns into birds taking flight symbolizing her poem "Still I Rise". Walking up into the back of the open head area will be a written page saying "Rise".
I have chosen Maya Angelou for the purpose of promoting women in history. I think women are underrepresented in historical sculptures and monuments. Most of all my nine life size bronze government grants were for men, by men, about men and nothing representing women. For my next pieces, I will be sculpting Jane Goodall, Amelia Earhart, and Camille Claudel. When young women go to parks and public places they will have someone to aspire to. Women of strength and power. Women who challenge us to take greater steps in our own lives. Working through their foundations with smaller sculptures, I want to raise funds for scholarships for women in arts and science. I want to help the next generation of women of every race, religion and nationality to lead us all. Women represent half the planet and I want them to have a voice in history through the Arts.
Participate in the cause
www.bronzebymischell.com
Used with permission of Caged Bird Legacy, LLC |