Showcase On View:

2018: July 21–29  Memphis College of Art: Rust Hall, Main Gallery

Gallery Hours:

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.

Closing Reception:
Sunday, July 29, 2018 2–4 p.m.

Mural Collaborative Artist Statement

This mural commemorates the life and legacy of American icon, Helen Keller, 50 years after her death. After losing her sight and hearing to a fever at 19 months, Helen spent the early years of her life lost in darkness without language of any kind. Anne Sullivan, her teacher, helped her to understand that everything in the world has a name, and that she could learn and communicate through words. During her life, with the help of her teacher, Helen went on to graduate college, publish books, speak with presidents and world leaders, and, most importantly, to advocate for women’s rights and education for disabled Americans.

In the mural collaborative class, eight high school students planned every element of this mural. Students first researched the context of Helen’s life and chose imagery to communicate the theme. Next, students brainstormed, workshopped, and voted as a group on every color, every line, and every component of this mural.

The color pink represents Helen's work for women's rights. The stippling technique of her portrait, represents how as she touched braille and learned to read, her brilliant mind and personality came alive. The braille alphabet on the left side of the mural propelled her forward in life to face the darkness of injustice. Language and education unlocked the door to life for Helen Keller and helped her move from darkness into the light.