Circle of Mothers

First let me say how sorry I am for what these mothers have had to endure in the senseless loss of their children.  I am  honored  that they have allowed me to serve them  and their children in this tribute. Their suffering compels one to action.  The paintings affirm  the dignity of these women and their children by  telling their stories.

My name is Sylvia Maier and I am an artist in NYC.  Feeling so saddened, I painted a response work when  Kadiatou’s son Amadou Diallo was killed in 1999. It has been many years now and  the climate of the world has not really changed. The senseless killing is still going on and with the the latest incidents I have been gratefully commissioned for 3 works on the civil ( human) rights movement. Upon further reflection, honoring the mothers who have lost their children and continue to fight in the struggle seemed fitting. As I am a mother of 2 sons and had a great bond with my own mother this series is very meaningful to me. After finishing a  painting of  Jesus meeting his mother for the stations of the cross,  a group show of diverse artist now touring the world,  I thought of mothers for this project.

The works are large 48″X 48″ and they are  in  the format of a coin to commemorate and depict spiritual currency.  It will show during Art Basel in Miami in December.

Six mothers, each one remebering their son every single day. I reached out to  Kadiatou Diallo, Amadou’s mom and Sybrina, Trayvon Martin’s mom  to bridge the present with the past.  Kadiatou Diallo  was the first to respond  and she introduced me to the Circle Of Mothers.  A support group of mothers, a community built out of tragedy . There were so many responses, so many mothers out there willing to pose and be part of this project.  It was daunting and broke my heart. They would have wrapped around the block many times over.  The sheer numbers!  I will continue painting them.  These are mothers who have become advocates for change.

The work is to speak to the past  and present. The works’  intention would be to represent the human beings, not the way the media has depicted them, but simply as mothers who live with the loss of their children.  Children who were on the honor roll, visiting for their 28th birthday, affectionate adoring sons to their moms. Friends, playful spirited children, preparing to marry, with dreams , looking for an education !  Our children our community. To promote healing and positive change is the intention for this work.

In Anthony Baez, Mohamed Bah, Sean Bell , Amadou Diallo, Ramarley Graham, and Trayvon Martin’s  memory.  As Iris leaves my studio she says “this is not for us anymore it is to prevent the suffering of more mothers”  Constance  ” Why was I not there?  I would have put myself between the bullet and my son” Let’s humanize this issue ,how many mothers can relate to this protective instinct?

Thank you very much, Iris Baez, Anthony Baez’s mom, Hawa Bah, Mohamed Bah’s mother, Valerie Bell, Sean Bell’s mom,  Kadiatou Diallo, Amadou Diallo’s mom,  Constance Malcom, Ramarley Graham’s mom, and Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mom.